#dramavers

Her standing abruptly was what cut him off the next time; plus startled him to the point where he almost slid from his bar stool. His klutzy actions usually brought her some joy no matter how brief, but nothing in her could muster up any positive emotions.

After she took a deep breath she stared at him with a neutral expression and spoke. “You can put everything I need to know in the office for me to check in the morning. Anything else can be sent to me via email. That includes the new co-owners contact information so that I can set up a meeting with them so we can discuss things. If I need something you didn’t give I will contact you. I hope everything works out just the way you want it, Hyuk. I’m leaving now, lock up behind yourself and mail me the keys.”

With that she turned on her heel and walked out of the door, she needed to put some distance between her and him. As well as her and the bar. Not even Hyuk calling out for her stopped her from leaving, nothing he had to say was something she needed to hear. At least not while her world crumbled before her eyes.

From there she went home. The process was a blur as she relied on muscle memory to get her on public transportation and then walk the rest of the way. By the time she came to she was inside and knocking on the door to her roommate’s bedroom.

“YN, I thought you wouldn’t be back until three,” Johnny said as he opened the door, voice laced with sleep.

However, his inquiry seemed to no longer matter as he took YN in. She’d stopped holding it all in and her body slouched, shaking slightly as the tears poured down her face. Every second or so she opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out until the sob finally released itself.

Johnny had her in his arms instantly. Not a word was uttered as he used one hand to press her face close to his chest and the other to rub slow circles into her back. And even when she calmed enough to speak, he merely shushed her and pulled her into his room. She wasn’t allowed to say a word until she was dressed in one of his too big t-shirts and they were cuddled in his bed.

She appreciated it too, because even though she’d been ready to talk her mind needed time to collect itself before she blurted out nonsense.

“Hyuk sold his share of the bar to someone else. Needed to let it go for his dad to give him some position at his company or some shit,” she whispered.

She felt Johnny’s body stiffen as she finished and then felt him take several deep breaths as she felt his heart speed up. He wasn’t a person quick to anger, but in certain situations he just couldn’t stop how quickly it came to head. Especially when he was proven right in a way he wished he wasn’t.

Minutes ticked by as he did his deep breathing and YN expected him to blow up or point out how he’d warned her, but nothing came.

“No, I told you so?” she asked.

That got a laugh out of him, though it was bitter.

“You know I won’t. This isn’t like when you bust your ass trying to get down from a table while drunk. This is your dreams being tampered with by a prick who couldn’t even show his dad he was responsible by co-owning a successful bar, but still managed to get what he wanted at your expense.”

Displeasure coated his every word and though it should’ve made her sad to think of her former co-owner and his shitty behavior she couldn’t help but laugh. It was because as he spoke she remembered all the times Johnny had snubbed or called the man out on his bare minimum rich kid behavior to his face. Johnny had never liked him and it was always clear to everyone, so he never missed a chance to be petty.

Sadly, that amusement went as quick as it came.

YN sighed. “Well, it is what it is now. Can’t change what’s already done. At least he said they only want to own it temporarily to pad their portfolio or some shit.”

In an instant, Johnny pulled back and looked at her with wide eyes.

“So, there’s still a chance?”

Though the hope in his voice boosted hers, she couldn’t get herself to give in. So instead of being as enthusiastic, she nodded.

Johnny’s eyes narrowed at that. “I will allow your non-excitement to slide because you are in shock and hurt, but you’re not going to go back to thinking this is a pipe dream. You can and will get the bar all to yourself. And let’s not forget you’re close to saving enough to start your own elsewhere if it falls through. And before you say it, I know this is your dream place in your dream location, but remember you had another dream location before this.”

Naturally, her best friend didn’t even allow her to voice her negative thoughts, something she was grateful for in that moment. She’d had a rant about how she should give up and all kinds of downer nonsense ready to spill out before he’d called her on her bullshit.

Another sigh escaped her and she nodded before laying her head on his chest again.

“Are you opening today?” she asked.

“No. After the bridal party, who wanted to drink and make perfume all night, I needed a break. And because they went well over their time I got paid double so I could miss three days and still not feel the loss.”

“Then can we stay in bed all day?” she asked.

“Sure, we can order something and watch TV. But can we sleep first, you woke me up too early,” he whined.

It was noon.

YN shrugged. “Fine with me, but I need to go get a bon-”

Before she could finish that sentence a dark purple bonnet was shoved in her face and she barely grabbed it before a thought came to her.

“You did steal it!”

“No, you left it in here after you took down your braids that one day. I found it somewhere in my dirty laundry. I for one don’t need a bonnet and for two, after the time I borrowed your SPF lotion and you nearly murdered me I learned my lesson,” Johnny said.

“You almost made me go outside ashy. My skin was being uneven with its six shades of brown instead of one, I didn’t need it to be dry too.”

He rolled his eyes at that but adjusted them a little so he could press a kiss to her forehead and then got comfortable.

“Yes, yes I know. Now put it on and go to sleep,” he said.

Part of her wanted to say something more, but she simply slid the bonnet over her hair, which was twisted, and laid down.

As her eyes closed her brain drifted to the horror of her morning, but she fought it off and tried to focus on the positive. Johnny was right; she had options, which didn’t leave her at a complete loss no matter how things went and that was a good thing.

Plus, she had Johnny by her side, even if it wasn’t always in the way she wanted. That thought brought a twinge to her heart, but she cuddled closer and reminded herself that moments like that were enough.

“He just dropped it all on you at once? I knew he was a self-centered prick, but damn,” Yoongi commented.

YN had relayed what happened to her main bartender when they’d both come in to prep the bar before it opened. She planned to keep it from him until she met her new co-owner, but he saw through her the moment she walked in that afternoon. Fighting him was futile, something she learned within the first six months of him working there, so she just spilled everything as she wiped down the bar stools.

“Yup. No warning at all, just told me with everything done before I could object. Something about thinking just being straightforward would lessen the blow. Since I prefer bluntness and all that,” she mumbled.

Out of the corner of her eyes she noticed Yoongi pause as he wiped down the counter and turn to look at her fully.

“Does that dumbass still not know what the word blunt means? Because it’s sure as fuck not screw over your business partner and the only person who kept a business afloat while he cried to daddy about not getting the position he wanted because he’s a failure. Fucking weirdo,” Yoongi shouted.

Though it wasn't really funny YN couldn't help but throw her head back in laughter, pausing in her cleaning as it coursed through her. She couldn't even stop the tears that came along with it.

When she finally pulled it together Yoongi was cleaning again, but the smile he wore showed he was happy with his handy work. And YN was thankful for it. He always knew just what to say to make her laugh when she needed it, even if the joy only lasted for a few seconds. It was one of the things that drew her into him as they got to know each other. Past his introverted defense mechanisms was a sweet man who often just did his best to help wherever he could.

The only person keeping her sane most days.

“Well, yeah he is a dumbass I will finally and fully admit it. But, he was a dumbass keeping me from having to put off certain things to keep this place moving forward, so for a time he was worth something. Now he’s just a fucking headache fucking up my plans.”

Silence filled the room after that as they finished sanitizing everything and got the bar set up for patrons. They were ready an hour in advance, which wasn’t something they usually did with YN preferring it to be only thirty minutes before the last thing was finished, but she didn’t want them working as she met the new co-owner.

There was nothing in her that wanted to impress them, but she preferred all the things be in tip top shape and nothing left to worry over as she handled something so stressful. It shouldn't have felt like that, but meeting someone she didn’t know and didn’t choose in a bar they would both own wasn’t fun. Especially when she thought about other people who’d come in before wanting to be her business partner but wanted everything changed. Something that wouldn’t happen.

“You can take a break and go out if you want. I can meet them alone,” she said as she checked one of the mini fridges under the bar one last time.

She expected Yoongi to say he’d go grab coffee from his favorite place to give him that final boost to keep on his customer service voice all shift, but he shook his head no. He grabbed a bottle of water and sat down at one of the tables farther into the bar. It confused YN and she planned to say something, but then the sound of a door opening caught her attention.

They both turned their attention to the intruder and YN immediately felt like the wind was knocked out of her.

In the door of her bar stood Chae Hyungwon, her ex-best friend.

Thankfully, he appeared just as shocked as she was, though he tried his best to pull it together. His usual fake confident smirk made an appearance and his gaze shifted from her to the space around them. His head nodded every so often and soft sounds of approval slipped from his lips as he did.

YN knew it was him avoiding her gaze to prepare whatever non-caring act he planned to put on with her, but that didn’t ease her at all.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

After several seconds of blatantly ignoring her Hyungwon responded.

“Is that any way to speak to your new boss?” he asked.

Shock wasn’t the word that YN used to describe how hearing those words felt, mostly because it wasn’t what coursed through her. It was more like amusement at being some sort of joke to the universe. Amusement and immense sadness.

“Co-owner. You are my co-owner. And let’s not forget that I own most of it,” YN said.

Hyungwon’s eyes went wide. “You’re the co-owner?”

That was a small win for her.

“Ah, so Hyuk didn’t just decide to withhold information from me. At least he’s a consistent idiot,” she said.

There was a beat of silence before YN pulled herself together and decided that she would unleash her feelings later and handle her predicament in that moment.

“So, shall we sit and talk?” she asked.

Hyungwon stared at her for a moment before nodding. At that YN motioned towards a table she’d set up for them and went to sit down. She waited a moment for him to settle in before pushing a folder across the table. And though clearly confused he took it and flipped through the contents.

He scoffed. “What is this, a college orientation? Am I to read and sign all of these, then be punished if I fail to do them or disregard them?”

“Yes.”

That startled him, but YN didn’t give him time to recover.

“That contains all the information that you need to know about this business. How it is currently run, it’s vendors, it’s monthly costs, the excel sheets we use to track information so that we can make small changes here and there to stay on top of how to best run things. And as you saw on top, explains the rules that I’ve laid out for you as co-owner. They are the same for anyone who wants to take on that role and besides small adjustments have remained the same throughout my use of them. They are not fYNible. With a compelling argument I may be willing to bend something but the odds are virtually nonexistent. They must be understood and abided by and any of them that are major violations will be cause for termination of your co-ownership, without a mandatory buyout from me. Which is something that was in the contract that Hyuk gave you, so you’ve already agreed.”

“That’s not allowed. I saw it, but it didn’t go into-”

YN laughed. “You signed a contract without meeting with the other co-owner, the person who owns fifty-five percent of this bar. Thus, not allowing yourself the chance to get all the information. Which means you forfeit the right to suddenly demand a change on something you agreed to blindly. My rules are not outlandish, they are just specific and demand that you are serious or at the very least don’t get in my way.”

Laughter escaped Hyungwon, but it clearly held no humor. For a moment he looked prepared to argue or leave, but he simply reopened the folder and read over the first few sheets. Though there were a few sounds that were akin to disapproval that wasn’t what reflected on his face when he glanced up several minutes later. It was more so a look of mild amazement.

“This keeps anyone who buys in from doing anything slightly shady behind your back or straight up dumb without mutual decision. It’s ironclad, makes sense not to put it directly into the contract since you’re opposed to negotiating that part,” he said.

Part of her felt proud, though it was solely because she knew she’d done things well in that respect. But the other part of her was displeased that the pride appeared from hearing a form of praise from Hyungwon, even if it wasn’t directly from impressing him.

Naturally, he couldn’t leave it on a positive note though.

“Too bad you didn’t come up with one where it stopped him from fucking you over,” Hyungwon mumbled.

“Yeah, so sad, if only we could make those kinds of things for everyone we encounter. Though I guess something for me to hold people accountable for fucking me over wouldn’t be something you’d be personally interested in. Could be used against you,” YN said without missing a beat.

Hyungwon’s face went red after that and she could see a flurry of emotions playing out on his face but could pick up on none. Not that, that lessened her amusement at all. She’d gotten a reaction out of him and it was childish, but felt wonderful nonetheless.

“Is there anything else you need to show me?” Hyungwon finally asked after a minute.

YN nodded and stood from her seat.

“I can show you around the place and explain how things run. However, I ask that you hold all questions until you have absorbed all the information, I don’t mind if you use your phone or something to write things down as I talk. But if you think it’s important to know please stop me and ask.”

All she got was a nod before she led him around the space. She showed him the back rooms, including the office, and explained how things worked schedule wise with everything. Then she brought him back out front and pointed out things behind the bar to get him acquainted with how things worked. Then she led him through the space and showed him the balcony that gave the best access to their view of a skyline and water off in the distance. Once finished she brought him back inside and was about to wrap it up, but then he spoke.

“How many employees are there?” he asked.

“Including myself seven. With the way we currently operate, more aren’t needed, but there is still a chance we could hire a few more.”

Hyungwon nodded. “And I’m guessing he’s one.”

That was the first time YN glanced Yoongi’s way since Hyungwon appeared and she turned to see the male drinking his water and scrolling through his phone.

“Yes, Yoongi has been here almost a year now.”

At the sound of his name Yoongi looked up and while he didn’t seem particularly fond when he glanced Hyungwon’s way he did offer YN a smile, one she returned happily.

After that her attention moved back to Hyungwon who glanced between the two of them and looked prepared to say something but didn’t.

“Well, is there anything else you need or would like to see? We open pretty soon so we’re running low on time,” YN said.

Seconds ticked by as she watched Hyungwon stare at her but seem off in his own little world. It was something that was the norm for when he debated on what to say or do so it wasn’t surprising, but it made her uncomfortable.

“Hyungwon,” she called out.

He snapped out of it and cleared his throat. “No. I’m good. I’ll just sit off in one of the back corners for a while to watch how things go and then leave.”

A nod and then YN left him to do what he wanted. The two waitresses for the night arrived just then and everyone got their behinds into gear. Then minutes later their customers began filing in.

Though YN’s mind reeled from what happened she didn’t get the chance to linger on it, because work became the focus quickly. She enjoyed bartending so she did that alongside Yoongi and though the place wasn’t packed, people tended to order drinks rapidly. And since their bar had made its name for mixed and signature drinks it wasn’t just rounds of shots. They needed to mix drinks and do it right, half-assing it to get it out quickly wasn't something they did. Especially since part of the draw for some, besides the drinks, was watching them being made. They enjoyed some sort of show with it, though neither YN nor Yoongi went all out to impress, just did what they needed to with focus and a slight flourish.

So, by the time she caught her breath and wasn’t focusing on anything work related and glanced up to find Hyungwon she noticed his former spot taken up by someone else. He was nowhere she could see, so she assumed he left and felt herself sigh in relief. It didn’t clear the chaos she kept at bay in her mind, but helped it settle some.

However, she again didn’t get time to linger on it because they’d done the last call and an influx of orders came on. She and Yoongi worked to get them out and were thankful when people began to leave, some stumbling to the exit with the help of security.

From there everyone immediately began working on their sections to clean and an hour and a half later they were all on their way out the building. YN saw off her waitresses and security then prepared to say her goodbyes to Yoongi only for him to be giving her a look she saw when he’d offer to join her on the way home and she’d deny.

Which meant that fighting him on it would’ve been useless, so she just began walking towards the train station.

For several minutes they did so in silence and though YN seemed calm it was clear that she was fighting something off. Something she didn’t want to talk about or at least that’s what she told herself until Yoongi spoke up.

“You can scream if you want,” he said.

That made her pause and then laugh loudly. It brought on looks from the few people lingering about late at night, but she didn’t care at all. One would’ve thought she was laughing at the idea of screaming to release her feelings, but it was more so that screaming is what Johnny had her do when the incident happened years before. He got her drunk, took her to the top of a building and they screamed until she was a laughing mess on the ground. He’d had to carry her home after.

“I wish that was the fix for this. Hell, I wish I didn’t have such a strong reaction to him after all this time.”

Again, silence filled the space as they began walking away and neither of them spoke again until they were seated in a half-deserted train car. Yoongi took that as the perfect moment to bump her shoulder to get her attention and it worked.

“You could tell me about it. You don’t have to of course, but it could help the feelings a bit,” he offered.

At that YN sighed and her eyes closed. A lot of her screamed to let it die so she didn’t have to deal with the emotions again, but a smaller voice reminded her that the feelings would always be there and she probably only felt so intensely because she’d been forced to endure them in front of someone who didn’t know what happened. If it had been Johnny or her by herself she’d be better about it. And she had to remind herself she trusted Yoongi a whole lot, so telling him wasn’t the end of the world by any means.

Once she’d made peace with her choice her eyes opened and she turned so her back leaned against the small wall blocking her seat from the door. She knew that if she told him it had to be while looking at him.

“As you may know I have an ex that Johnny loathes with his entire being. I’m sure you remember that drunk rant that he gave the first month of you working there,” she paused to see his response and once he nodded she continued. “Well, I know he went on and on about planning to beat up all the people who’d ever hurt me, so there were a lot on that list. Anyway, he got to talking about an old friend before he ran to the bathroom to throw up. That friend was Hyungwon or my new co-owner, I don’t think I told you his name. But yeah, he was my best friend. Like that friend I made the moment I came to orientation and looked every bit of the confused foreigner I was. We clicked and he felt like the best friend I’d made in my entire life. Even helped me figure out how to work up the nerve to talk to my ex to ask him out.”

YN sighed and used her hand to push back a few loose curls that had slipped from her bun. The voice telling her to shut up got louder and she knew if she wanted to stop she could, but something about the attentive look on Yoongi’s face stopped her.

“In our senior year things were beyond stressful. He was dealing with family business stuff and his father has always been a difficult man. While I was dealing with trying to find a job so I could keep a visa and stay in the country, while also trying to graduate. We barely saw each other and I barely saw my boyfriend either despite usually sleeping at his every night. I decided to change that one night, I messaged Hyungwon to schedule a hang out and he agreed. Then I grabbed some food and snacks and headed to my boyfriend’s. I was at most an hour earlier than when I said I’d be coming, something not out of the norm for me and it wasn’t like he didn’t know.

“It was so quiet that I assumed he was asleep. I made sure to keep quiet as I settled in and then creeped towards the bedroom. However, I didn’t make it there, because while a few feet away the door swung open and I was met with him in his boxers and a disheveled Hyungwon. They didn’t notice me right away or at least I like to think so since they started making out and didn’t stop until I cleared my throat. The expressions of shock at that point are barely a memory because I’d started to tear up and just turn and left. They both attempted to reach out, but obviously I shut them down.”

After she finished Yoongi’s expression shifted to shock and then anger.

“And yet he acted like he was superior and has nothing to be sorry for when he came in today. What kind of bullshit is that? He should at least appear apologetic,” he said.

YN went to answer, but they were at her stop so she waited until they were off the train and up the steps.

“Hyungwon’s default expression is resting bitch face, especially when trying to hide some sort of emotion behind it. And he will lay it on thick. But he also is likely to force that and a haughty demeanor because he just does. It’s a defense mechanism, especially when he feels wronged in some way. He turned it on me a week after it was clear I wasn’t forgiving him. He’d prefer to be the one who is uncaring, then to endure too much emotion. No matter if he’s the cause of it.”

“What kind of fucked up shit is that? He messed up, not you. You had every right to refuse to deal with him or forgive him,” Yoongi said.

YN shrugged. “To a degree it’s a defense mechanism that I understand even if I don’t agree, but sometimes it does make him more of a douche than he’s going for. But it is what it is.”

They walked the short distance to her apartment in silence and YN couldn’t help but realize how much better she felt. It didn’t fix everything, but it helped more than she thought it would. Johnny usually was the one to get her calm enough to process the rest and she knew that once she told him the news he’d help her overcome the lingering emotions more, but with the chance to vent to the two people she trusted the most it was different.

Once they reached her apartment she turned and pulled Yoongi into a hug. He went stiff for a second before he hugged her back.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“No problem,” he said in return.

She held him for a few seconds longer after that and then let go, gently nudged him towards the cab that pulled up at the most convenient time out of nowhere. Or at least she tried to pretend she didn’t order it when he wasn’t paying attention, but just like every other time she did it he saw through her.

They waved at each other and she went inside once the cab pulled off. On the elevator up she couldn’t stop the smile on her lips. Her brain had halted its existential crisis and focused on the memory of Yoongi’s own smile as the car departed. It was beyond cute and she’d told him that when she’d first saw him do it, but what she felt in the elevator was different. There was an all-consuming happiness and a weird feeling in her stomach as she thought of it then.

The smile didn’t leave until she was sitting at the table with Johnny eating fried chicken too late at night and telling him what happened. He ranted and raved, even made a few threats, which brought the feeling back again, but that time directed at her roommate.

Weeks passed, and though YN hated the arrangement for multiple reasons she got used to it. Hyungwon didn’t try to implement any major changes and most of what he did was stuff she’d planned to do months later when they had more than enough funds for it.

Though there was one thing she’d agreed to that came with some regret. Or at least regret is what filled her as she had to endure a couple who didn’t understand distance and chose to sit at the bar.

The moment they strolled in, clinging to each other, they’d made a beeline for her side of the bar and told her how they’d seen the bar mentioned on the account of some popular new actor and then promptly shoved a phone in her face to show her. All it took was a single glance to know that she’d never seen that man in the bar before and the picture had been taken around a time they weren’t open. He was sitting on the bar’s balcony with a drink in hand and you could see people enjoying themselves behind him, but they appeared to focus on appearing in the right angle of the picture for it not to be fully staged. Which meant it was Hyungwon’s doing.

YN agreed to allow him to expand social media reach because though she did it, sometimes it wasn’t the best that it could be. However, their definitions of expansion differed and about four celebrities that had never been there had posted about having such a good time at that bar. Something that brought in business, but also forced YN and her staff to lie when asked by customers. And customers asked a whole lot when they came in, needing every detail down to what the celeb smelled like.

It was annoying but arguing about it with Hyungwon ended up with her just conceding in annoyance every time. Despite the nuisance of it, she truly didn’t have it in her to keep the back and forth with him on the subject. Doing it just didn’t prove to be worth it.

So, she and everyone endured the nonsense. Though as she watched the couple get increasingly touchier she almost stormed off into the back office to put a stop to it once and for all. In fact, she’d turned to tell Yoongi that she was going to step away but was distracted in a second.

“YN!” Johnny shouted as he approached the bar.

From the moment she laid her eyes on her best friend she noticed the offness. The giant stumbled a little while he walked and there was a slur to his words. His clothing was also a little less put together than usual and though not noticeable to most people it’s something she picked up on after years of enduring his quirks.

“Johnny, I thought you had a date,” she said.

That immediately made him frown at her. Of course, she guessed how well that had gone, but she knew that he preferred to explain to her about how bad it was, so she got the true dramatic effect. So instead of saying anything she allowed him to take up a seat at the bar and got him the coldest bottle of his favorite beer that she had. He took it happily and downed half of it before he began his story.

“She wanted me to be a third in her relationship. Brought the boyfriend and everything. Which we all know I’m fine with and my dating profile says that, but you warn a person beforehand. She said she was single and then boom, boyfriend suddenly.”

He paused and downed the rest of the bottle, which was quickly replaced with another by Yoongi who happened to be moving by. Johnny gave him a grateful nod and picked it up, but just held it.

“And that would also not be the worst thing in the world, but then the entire time the guy kept sizing me up and then asking the most sexually invasive questions. At one point he asked me how big my dick was and seemed ready to whip his out so that we could compare them. I had to drink to get through the entire thing and sped out of there the moment the bill for dinner was paid. Blocked her dating account, her social media, and number on the way here. Then had to block his number, because apparently blocking her wasn’t enough of a hint for them,” he said.

YN winced hearing that part, because she couldn’t imagine enduring something so awkward and then creepy as that. Nor could she imagine not understanding when someone wasn’t interested after such intensive blocking.

Pathetic was the word that came to mind.

“Well, I’m glad you escaped them. You get to drink that one and one more, then you switch to water. Also go back and heat up my lunch or have someone grab it for you, you need something else in you and I didn’t get around to eating it myself,” YN said.

That changed Johnny’s demeanor in an instant and he glared at her, but before he could scold her about not eating properly Hyungwon appeared.

“YN, if you’re not busy up here can you come back into the office to help me with something? It’ll only be a few minutes, I want to know I’m doing this right,” he said.

Johnny’s glare shifted from her to Hyungwon, but neither of them paid him any mind.

“Sure, I’ll be back there in a sec,” she said.

Hyungwon nodded and disappeared again. And though it was clear that Johnny had something to say YN ignored him, turning to tell Yoongi only to get shooed away before she could open her mouth. She shot him a quick thumbs up and then hustled back to the office.

“What’s up?” she asked as she closed the door behind her.

The moment Hyungwon had her close enough he pointed to the screen of their computer and started to explain how he’d tried to do something in the excel sheet for the month’s vendor expenses but something went wrong. He walked her through the whole process before she stepped in to show him what he’d done wrong for it to not to work. And then they went over some of the other sheets to ensure they were right, as well as some of the vendor request forms that needed to get done by that time the following week.

It was an easy conversation and though weeks before YN thought she’d still be awkward and apprehensive; she’d managed to find a good groove in dealing with Hyungwon as a business partner and ignoring the pain from the past. He was someone who put himself fully into his work, so it wasn’t hard to mesh with him on the subject. In fact, he got more work down in the weeks he’d been on board than Hyuk in the years he was YN’s partner. She never minded doing all of the work before, but she also would never deny that having some of the weight off her was refreshing. Even in situations where she had to double check and teach Hyungwon the ropes a few times.

When they were done she stood from her seat and stretched, her eyes meeting the clock to see she’d been back there for almost an hour.

“Is there anything else you need?” she asked.

Though Hyungwon shook his head at first, he stilled for a moment and then whipped around to look at her. The expression on his face startled her with its seriousness, his eyebrows furrowed and the frown on his lips was intense. There was also a glint in his eyes that she recalled from when he found out some not happy news and a part of her worried greatly about what he’d say.

“Actually. I would like to apologize,” he said.

That confused YN for a second because she’d still be in work mode, until she saw the way his body sagged and then it clicked in her head. Her hands went up in defense as she shook her head rapidly.

“You don-”

“Please let me talk?”

And though her whole body screamed to not let him continue she couldn’t find it in her to not let him get whatever it was off his chest. So, she took a deep breath and nodded so that he’d continue, she didn’t trust herself to say the right thing.

“I know I apologized then and I meant it, even if I did the thing where I pretended like it wasn’t my fault and that you should’ve forgiven me. I fucked up on so many levels and I didn’t mean to. I need you to know that it was never my intention, I just… I don’t know how to explain it. That night is a weird blur of sadness, drinking, and feeling someone wanted to be in my presence and cared about my feelings. I gave in for stupid and selfish reasons. He told me you’d broken up over a week before, but even then it wasn’t an okay thing to do. I know that. I knew when I agreed. I knew when it happened. And I knew the entire time after.

“I have no valid excuse for my betraying you like that. I just want you to know that I’m sorry. And I’m even more sorry that I’m messing with your dream. It wasn’t my intention at all. I swear to you I didn’t know you were the co-owner when the contract was signed. And I’d planned to back out after I found out, but it was too early in the contract for me to be able to sell it to you and I would’ve had to sell it back to him. And I’ve worked with Hyuk before, he will continue to fuck things up. And I guess I’m using a lot of words to say I’m sorry and I’m rambling, so again I’m truly sorry.”

By the end of his tangent YN was left confused and unsure. She could see the sincerity, something he’d never been able to fake, and she knew he felt sorry for his actions when it happened, but she didn’t know how to respond. There was nothing in her head that felt like an accurate response to what he’d said. Especially the apologies, because she’d forgiven him a year after the incident. Not in a whole ceremonious way of letting it go to move on, but she realized she moved one already. The hurt wasn’t gone and she knew if she saw him her reaction would not be positive, but she knew that if she did see him and he spoke to her she’d probably be willing to talk it through with him. Hell, she’d thought about it for half a second when he first stepped foot into the bar, but he’d chosen the snooty demeanor and she’d thrown it away in an instant.

All of that uncertainty must have been clear to Hyungwon, thankfully, because he cleared his throat to regain her attention and then smiled at her. A real smile. The first smile she’d seen on his face since the first time she’d seen him again.

“You don’t have to say anything right now. You don’t have to say anything ever really. We can act like I didn’t say anything at all and keep going how we’re going. I just wanted you to know that,” he said.

YN’s mind scrambled to find a response after that because it didn’t want to have said nothing, but she ended up nodding and walking out without saying a word. She’d made sure to keep her expression light and offered a small smile before she turned away so he didn’t think she was running from him or hated him.

With her mind going a mile a minute she stepped into the staff bathroom to use it and run a cold, wet paper towel across the back of her neck to help calm her down. When she got worked up she got hot and needed to be brought down before it spiraled. It only took five minutes before she felt ready to head back out to the bar, though she wasn’t completely herself as she went.

A large part of her wanted to go back and yell at Hyungwon and then have a heart to heart, but she willed herself to keep moving forward.

However, when she reached the end of the hall she wished she’d done that. People seated at the bar had left and moved elsewhere, which made it easy for her to spot Johnny nursing a glass of water. He looked ready to drink it, but something else had his attention. Someone else.

Yoongi was standing directly in front of him, body bent over so that his arms rested on the bar between them. He wore a wide smile and reached over to poke Johnny’s cheek as they laughed together.

They were so close to each other and so comfortable, that it was almost romantic. Then with bated breath YN watched as Johnny ran his hand through his hair and winked at Yoongi, something he only ever did when he was flirting. A quirk that she’d pointed out to him once that he’d never noticed he did. But that wasn’t what made her stomach churn, it was the light blush that coated Yoongi’s cheeks as he punched Johnny’s arm.

Both men were flirting with each other and by their expressions it was far from the playful kind they’d done once when some girl kept hitting on Yoongi and wouldn’t understand no until Johnny stepped in as his “boyfriend.” Oh no, their flirting was real and natural.

And YN didn’t know which one it hurt more seeing do it.

At least once a month there was an event held at the bar and so YN wouldn’t open it to the general public. And by some miracle one fell on a Sunday and was during midafternoon, which meant she didn’t have work the next day and they wouldn’t be open late into the night. Both things were something she needed after over a week of feeling at her lowest.

The down feeling wasn’t new by any means, but it didn’t make it easier. Nor did her avoidance of Johnny, who usually knew the right things to say to get her out of a funk.

It was a consequence of her avoiding her roommate.

After she’d seen his interactions with Yoongi at the club she’d gotten over things pretty quickly, but they didn’t stop there. Though both males had talked before their communication ramped up. They were texting often and sometimes even video chatting. Along with that came an increase of them hanging out. On one free day YN had swung by to bring Johnny food at his shop, but when she appeared Yoongi was already there and they were eating. Of course, they invited her to join and she did, but it hadn’t been fun for her. Which was how she described all her hang outs with them. It was the constant third wheel kind of feeling and seeing as she had no time to adjust to her realization of feelings for both of them, she definitely didn’t have time to adjust to them possibly getting together.

All of it was too much at once and only aided along the low she felt. Which meant she turned to avoiding them when she could. Some things were changing for the club and that meant she had a built-in excuse to be busy. That coupled with her clearly being down meant that they left her be when she said she wanted to venture out alone or with other friends. And they definitely didn’t stop her if she just said she wanted to lay in bed all day and be left alone. She’d ensured that she did it a normal amount so not to alarm them and it worked for her.

Well, only worked in the matters of not being forced to third wheel. Though the times they hung out in the apartment while she locked herself in her room didn’t do much for her whole, dealing with feelings plan.

Not that she dealt with them well when not around them.

However, the day of the event she saw the light at the end of the tunnel for her funk. YN woke up feeling on top of the world and everything ran so smoothly from then on. They’d set up, received the guests, and kept the event running without incident. Minus the very drunk man who got weirdly passionate about telling the story about how the wine he was drinking was made and then proceeded to spill it.

Hell, even seeing how Hyungwon and his boyfriend mingled without issue brought her some sort of joy. And that joy was how her brain drowned out the voice that told her that Hyungwon’s boyfriend seemed familiar and not in the good way. Something that would have persisted if not for Johnny having approached her.

“Isn’t that the guy who showed up to that weeklong dating event with a different person each time?” he asked YN.

That was all it took for her brain to kick into gear and her head whipped over to look where Hyungwon stood with him. It took a single second to see his face and then recall all the times he’d come in with people and sometimes left with someone else. Or at the very least flirted with others, slipping people, including YN, his number while his date was preoccupied. He’d made her uncomfortable.

Those things weren’t cool and alone were enough to alarm YN, but that wasn’t the issue she found herself focused on when she stared him down. No, the problem was that when Hyungwon had appeared at the bar and introduced his boyfriend he’d spoken of how they’d been together for almost two years. That series of events had happened only two months before he became her co-owner. Meaning the man was a worse cheater than she’d thought he was.

“Oh, fuck me,” she groaned.

“Yeah,” Johnny said.

Though YN avoided eye contact with him most days the tone of his voice made her finally meet his gaze and it wasn’t comforting. In fact, he appeared a bit uncomfortable and unsure of how to react to the situation. She thought it was because of what happened, but then she glanced down to his hand and saw a business card in it. It showed Hyungwon’s boyfriend’s name and work info, but with a quick flip YN saw another number scribbled on back along with something about calling for a good time.

The man held no shame. Hitting on people with his longtime boyfriend present and the photographer of the event no less. Someone they’d hired to work it and would report back to them for how everything went. Truly the worst possible person because despite the possibility of lack of moral compass, the odds weren’t that great that he wouldn’t tell the person who hired him what transpired with their boyfriend.

A headache from it all was an understatement for what YN felt about it. But she knew what she had to do despite it all.

“Just…” she trailed off, taking the card from him and slipping it in her pocket. “Just don’t talk to him about it. I’ll bring it up when we wrap up for the night. It’s better I do it.”

“Are you sure?”

She wasn’t but nodded anyway.

Johnny didn’t believe her, but when she shooed him away to continue taking the photos he went without much hesitation.

From there she just worked to get through the last two hours of the event. She kept the bar going and even took a turn as a waitress when things got a little hectic since she hadn’t thought she’d need many staff on hand for something not that big.

Naturally, she hoped that it all was enough to keep her mind preoccupied, but that wasn’t the case. Any time she wasn’t focused, even for a second, her brain thought about it. And it was worse whenever she glanced up to see the both of them together as if one of them wasn’t a horrible human being. So much of her hated the idea of Hyungwon being hurt like that, even with their own past. No one deserved that. Plus, they’d made a lot of progress since he’d made that apology and YN had started to feel good around him. Like she actively wanted to be there. They’d even eaten lunch together a few times.

By the time everyone had cleared out and the staff was almost ready to go she snapped out of her own thoughts of dread to pull Hyungwon to the side. She said something about something she needed him to look over before he left for the night and he followed her to the office without hesitation. Which was good for her nerves, but not enough to quail the new set of anxiety that hit when his boyfriend said he’d wait and sat down at one of the tables. She would’ve preferred if he’d not been there to be confronted in her presence, but she didn’t have the luxury, so she pushed through.

When they entered the office she took a deep breath and turned to face Hyungwon, who appeared a bit startled and she assumed her expression aptly portrayed the discomfort and nerves she felt.

“I could prolong this because that’s totally what I want to do, because this makes me extremely uncomfortable, but I feel like you need to know. Your boyfriend has been here before. And not like just a random patron, but a person coming here on dates with people. Even attended a few events with a date in the last three months or so. And for the most part they’re always different people. And to make matters worse he’s always flirting with someone else when his date is away or even right in front of them. He’s hit on multiple staff members before, including me. Also, he slipped Johnny his card, with his personal number and a… flirtatious message on it.”

YN spoke so quickly she wasn’t sure he understood her, so the frown that appeared on his lips was what she used to indicate she could continue going. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the card, but before she could hold it up for him to see or hand it to him his hand was on her wrist.

Startled, she looked up to see the frown had left his face and he’d gone for a much more neutral expression, though his eyes held fire behind them. It almost made her flinch.

Hyungwon scoffed. “I didn’t think you’d stoop to this. He’d never even heard of this bar before I told him I was going to become a co-owner nor would he have the time to do that. Also, what could possibly be the problem with coming here with other people if he did. He can bring friends to events or out for a night of partying. My goodness YN why would you even try to spew such false info-”

Before he could finish, YN put a hand over his mouth. That confused him but didn’t stop the way he looked at her. And that only made her angrier.

She’d listened to his little rant about how she was wrong and hoped that he would change course. Hoped that the way his tone wavered every now and then was indication of him not believing his own words, but he kept going. If she hadn’t stopped him YN was sure he’d descended into words much less passive in calling her liar and into much more hurtful talk. And with the way she felt she couldn’t endure that. She refused to be hurt by him when all she wanted to do was help.

“I would never make up something like that. And I am not as stupid as to think people hanging out in a bar or doing the bare minimum of hugging is cause to deem them together. Nor would I sit here and make up being uncomfortably flirted with and Johnny getting his number and a not so ‘I want to be friends’ note from him. Something I was just going to show you. But that doesn’t matter to you apparently. Because someone who's been harmed by something as bad as cheating would totally make that up for shits and giggles or for some sort of revenge. Because I of all people who has let much worse slide would do that, right? Don’t believe me, that’s fucking fine. Live your life thinking I’d lie about that or misunderstand. But if you want to pull your head out of your ass you can look at this card, you can look at the files on the computer to see pictures from events, you can check the bar’s website and social media for the pictures too. Hell, go ask Johnny for them. He has more than he gave up and with the way he was making out with most of them I’m sure he has something to show that.”

After that YN didn’t wait for a reply, she simply turned on her heel, grabbed her bag, and stormed out of the room. She went out front so she could tell her manager to finish locking up and tell Johnny she wanted to leave, but when she got out there she saw something that made her feel even worse.

Johnny and Yoongi were standing across from each other at the bar laughing and being all touchy. It wasn’t the worst thing ever, but then they leaned in close enough that they looked ready to kiss until Yoongi happened to notice YN and turned to look at her. His smile dropped and he stepped away, moving to get from behind the bar but she didn’t stay put.

YN all but sprinted out of the building with three voices calling out to her. And she didn’t stop until she was in a taxi, sobbing and asking to be taken to some bar that was far away from her own business and home so they wouldn’t stumble upon her.

From then on time moved in a way that she couldn’t comprehend. She reached the bar and immediately muted her ringer to avoid calls or texts. And once inside she greeted the bartender she was familiar with and asked for a drink. Something she did until she was so drunk that she just barely was cognizant of what was happening around her. Of course, she wanted more, but she needed to be responsible despite all the things that had crumbled right in front of her.

“I called you a taxi, it’s out front. Go home YN,” JB, the bartender, said.

Though part of her wanted to say no she simply nodded, paid, and headed out to the taxi that waited for her. She managed to walk normally until she reached the taxi where she stumbled a bit and had to be helped inside. Once she and her driver were in their seats she slurred her words and told him her address. He grunted and they were off.

The whole drive her brain kept trying to figure out how’d she’d deal with Johnny when she got home or Yoongi when she had to work. Her brain was so hazy that she couldn’t form full ideas for Johnny, but decided she’d just have someone else take her shifts with Yoongi. That answer made her so proud that she smiled and patted herself on the back.

However, the back patting stopped when the driver stopped and she got out, only to realize he’d dropped her a few blocks from her apartment. He’d driven off by then and she felt slightly more sober, so she started her trek home. There was some tripping over her own feet and stopping when her vision blurred but she did okay.

Ten minutes in though she felt her stomach drop as she heard a voice.

“YN? Got damnit, YN where have you been?” Yoongi called out.

Though she heard him clear as day she continued walking without even a glance backwards. She even put a pep in her step, though that was less about avoiding him and more about being miffed about the use of her full first name.

“YN, could you stop,” he said.

She continued ignoring him. Even when she stopped to put in the code to her building, when she stopped to wait for the elevator, and when both of them stood in the small space together. Yoongi was displeased, but he didn’t force anything simply followed behind her.

He tried to speak again once they entered the apartment, but he wasn’t the only one.

“Can you just answer m....”

“Where the fuck have you been? I’ve been calli...” Johnny started

Regardless of their concerns she continued to ignore them both, even tuning out what they had to say as she kicked off her shoes and deposited her bag on one of the hooks near the door. The plan was to walk past them and into her room where she would pass out, but as she made her first step she tripped over a box that she hadn’t seen.

Thankfully, they caught her and got her standing and steady. She muttered a quick thank you and then looked at what had been her undoing, only to see a box she’d asked Johnny to move multiple times.

That surely brought up some anger as her head whipped up so she could glare at him.

“Why can’t you just listen to what I say? Or better yet understand that there is an issue? That all signs point to a fucking problem if you do something like that? Why? I’ve almost hurt myself like ten times already and you have yet to move it!”

Johnny’s own anger subsided a little and he appeared sheepish for a second, mumbling an apology and moving the box out of the way. He turned to her after, but she didn’t want to hear whatever he had to say or talk about, so she attempted to storm off to her room as planned. Attempting was key in that, because the moment the foot that hit the box touched down on its own she cried out in pain.

“Fuck,” Johnny said as he caught her and held her up.

“Stupid fucking box!” she screamed.

“Oh, fuck. What can we do? How can we help?” a panicked Yoongi asked.

YN cursed a few more times as the throbbing settled in.

“Just take me to my room. I just want to sleep and not deal with this shit.”

Both men nodded and helped her to her room, carefully placing her down on the bed. From there she slipped off her jeans - she had leggings on underneath - and shrugged off her heavy sweater so she only had her sports bra on. After she got comfortable in the bed, using a pillow to put under her throbbing ankle and threw a bonnet over her hair, thankful to be wearing it braided.

As she got comfortable and prepared to sleep she realized that neither of them had left and when she prepared to tell them to both men crawled into the bed with her, getting on either side.

“What are you do-”

She wasn’t allowed to finish though because Johnny cut her off.

“Can we just stay? We know we stressed you out in the last few minutes and we feel like shit. It would make us feel better and if you say no, we’ll just sit on the floor or outside your door.”

Yoongi nodded. “We’d just feel better closer.”

Though she opened her mouth to argue she found that with the pain in her ankle and the alcohol wearing off she was too tired for it. So, she said nothing and closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around herself and laying completely still until she fell asleep.

Or mostly fell asleep. With the two of them in her bed so close and radiating so much body heat she found it hard to slip completely. Not that either of them could tell that she wasn't asleep.

"It has to be more than the Hyungwon situation. I think I know what it is and that means we need to tell her soon,” Yoongi whispered.

"Wait. What? We have everything set for a week. Can it not wait?"

"Have you seen how she's been acting lately? She's pulling away from both of us and a week gives her more time to put more distance. We won't have a chance to come clean by then or even get a proper conversation in about it. She'll just think it's pity or not feel enough to care."

"Okay, tomorrow then?"

"Yeah, it's an off day and she's ahead of all her work, so even if she goes in it'll be fine."

Silence followed that and then soft snores.

Their words confused her, but she also felt her stomach drop as she imagined them saying they were together or any other thing that would make her distressed. Her mind couldn’t stop thinking of possibilities and she finally knocked out as a way to avoid the overthinking.

When she woke up it was around three in the morning and it was because she was overheated. Confusion filled YN as she couldn’t figure out the problem, only to open her eyes and see both men cuddled into her from either side. Everything came rushing back to her at once, but she was still tired enough that she prepared to ignore it and go back to sleep.

Until she noticed their hands intertwined over her body. Nausea hit fast and before she knew it, she slipped from the bed and exited the room. It was the only time she was happy that either of them were heavy sleepers.

She limped from her room and went to Johnny’s. She created a similar set up for her ankle and pushing down all negative thoughts she cuddled into one of his plushies and went to sleep. Though not nearly fast enough to stop the tears.

The day after chaos reigned, YN woke up surprisingly early but didn’t dare leave Johnny’s bed. She waited in the dark in silence until she heard Yoongi leave and then slipped into her room as Johnny was in the kitchen making coffee. She’d barely made it in without him catching her, but once she was inside and the door was locked, him knowing didn’t matter.

From then on she tried not to think about anything that occurred and just got undressed and into the shower. The focus was on getting clean and hoping that that hot water would help along her still sore ankle; resting it through the night had been enough to keep it from getting too bad and it hadn’t swollen.

After she was cleaned she made quick work of getting dressed and taking down her hair, allowing her twist out to take full form. It needed a little sprucing up and then she was done. Ready to tackle the day.

Though she didn’t know how.

Every few seconds her brain focused on the sounds of Johnny moving around the apartment. Mostly because he wasn’t in his room, but out in the living room near her door which meant that he awaited her exit. She hoped that he would leave and she would have an opening to slip out and avoid him a little longer, but she knew he was stubborn and didn’t have to work that day so he had all the time in the world.

Since grabbing her stuff and escaping wasn’t a perfect plan she was forced to sit on her bed and think out other ones. There was the obvious choice of talking to him, but with all that went on her head she didn’t want that. Plus, she wanted to be a punk for a while and not deal with whatever it was him and Yoongi planned to tell her. That left things like stay in her room all day, exit via the fire escape and come through the front to grab her bag and shoes, or just go out of her door and walk past him. Staying in her room would drive her up the wall and the fire escape on the building was not the best and she’d have to jump a foot or two to get off it, something that would agitate her ankle.

That meant that she had to walk past him, which meant she needed an excuse. She sat there thinking for a while until she remembered something important she’d put off and planned to do after the event. Something that was important to keep her business running and that she told Johnny about.

It was perfect.

So, after taking a deep breath she stood from her bed and exited her room with some faux confidence and a whole lot of fake indifference.

The moment she was in sight Johnny stopped his movement. He looked ready to move closer to her but seemed to think better of it. Something she was thankful for since she didn’t know if she could get away from him if he was close enough to stop her. He wouldn’t hurt her and would let her go if she asked but being stopped messed with the whole flow of things for her.

YN didn’t linger too long on what he was doing and just walked to the front door and slipped on her shoes. She then grabbed her bag and made sure her wallet and phone were there before her hand touched the door to open it.

And that’s when Johnny spoke up.

“Do you want to talk about what happened? I feel like we should talk about it. Among other things,” he said.

For a second that made YN freeze, but she recovered rather quickly. Maintaining her “indifference” she turned to look at his face for the first time since she walked out and shrugged.

“Maybe later. Don’t really feel like dealing with anything besides spreadsheets and those tax forms I need to get out by tonight,” she said.

Though Johnny still appeared prepared to push he seemed to resign himself when she said tax forms. As an owner of his own business he knew that was important and it took her awhile to get everything ready for her accountant. Which meant he simply collapsed onto the couch and nodded.

With that small victory YN opened the door and walked out. Part of her said she should at least say bye or when she’d be back, but she knew talking to him longer would’ve made it harder for her. She’d nearly cracked when she saw the worry and sadness etched into his face.

Time is what she needed.

No one foresaw five days of it to go by though. Not even YN.

After she’d bypassed Johnny she’d genuinely ended up too busy to have the energy for any sort of conversation. Mountains of paperwork hit and there were issues left and right. Even when she was in Johnny, Yoongi, or Hyungwon’s presence it was so work related that they didn’t even attempt to talk about anything else or ask her to speak later.

Even at home she was left alone, especially because she’d fallen asleep while responding to Johnny about what to order for dinner one night.

Friday night was when things slowed down and she took her usual shift bartending. It was a packed night because they were handling an event that they themselves were running to get more business. Which meant that most of the staff worked, as well as Hyungwon and Johnny who was hired to take pictures to go up on social media and their website.

It put YN right in the middle of all of them and it was uncomfortable, but she kept strong. Well, she committed to giving them the silent treatment unless it was about work. And it worked out pretty well for her, she managed to get through most of her shift without giving into any attempts to talk or pull her to the side.

The non-plan gave way for reasons she couldn't foresee though.

While she left to the backroom to grab more tequila she was trailed by Hyungwon, who’d tried to get her alone the moment she’d come to work that day. He was begging for a moment of her time even as they made their way back towards the bar, but she held strong. Something she regretted the moment she passed the bottles to Yoongi so he could prep drinks and then turned to see someone she didn’t want to.

Her ex, Jisoo, stood right in front of her bar with a few friend’s laughing it up. None of them noticed her for the first several seconds, which she was thankful for, but it didn’t last long enough for her to fully pull herself together. When Jisoo turned to request a drink he was met with a clearly shocked YN.

Jisoo appeared surprised as well, but he pushed that aside to smirk at her with a quickness.

“YN, I didn’t know you worked here. I just got back into the country and this was the first place my friends recommended. Small world. Oh, Hyungwon… what a surprise to see you here too,” Jisoo said.

That snapped YN out of it and she turned to see Hyungwon glaring at the male, his hand in a fist as he stared him down. For a moment she was reminded of the past as she looked at him. The pain rose up for a second and she felt sick having them in the same place, but she pushed it down. Despite their falling out they’d done well since reconnecting and she was mostly past it all, even close to asking him to hang out like a friend. Allowing a piece of shit ruin that wasn’t okay.

Never again would she allow Jisoo to ruin things for her.

With that spark of anger and confidence she turned to stare down Jisoo herself. She noticed Yoongi closer than before and Johnny standing behind the little group ready to pounce, but she waved them off. YN needed it to be her who went off.

“I own this bar and Hyungwon here is my co-owner, so naturally we would be here,” she said.

For a second Jisoo was knocked off his game, but it wasn’t long before he bounced back. He was like Hyungwon that way and YN hated it.

“Oh? I thought you two were no longer on speaking terms?” he said.

“Well, clearly what you thought was wrong,” Hyungwon chimed in.

Hyungwon’s words elicited a laugh from Jisoo for some reason and it made YN uneasy, but she held her ground. No matter what he threw she knew she could take it. There was no way she’d allow him to see her hurt or crying.

Jisoo shrugged. “I guess so. You’re still with Ji-ah though, right YN? Last I heard you and her hit it off.”

That was the thing to force a humorless laugh from her lips. Only Jisoo would mention her other ex whom he knew she’d broken up with a while ago when she’d moved to take a job at a company out of the country. A company that Jisoo worked at, at that.

Of course, he had to be a trash human in more aspects than one.

“No, but you know that. Since you hit on her, took her on a few dates, slept with her and then told her how you knew me. That's why you asked her out in the first place. You remember that, right? Oh, and you have to remember how she told your job that and so they demoted you, plus moved you to a different branch,” YN said.

And at last the smirk left his face. While pleased by that, YN didn’t ignore the way he tensed and the anger that covered every inch of his expression.

“I feel like you’re the one who should remember. Like remember how you cried when you saw us together. The hurt on your face as I kissed hi-”

Before he could speak anymore Hyungwon almost punched him in the face. If it wasn’t for YN hip checking him and thus making him stumble he would’ve made impact on Jisoo’s right cheek.

Once Hyungwon was settled and being held back by a staff member YN’s attention focused solely on Jisoo.

“I don’t want you or your friend’s here. Ever. So, I’m going to ask you to leave. There will be no argument. No putting up a fight. No asking to be given another chance. You will leave and never return, am I understood?” she said calmly.

Naturally, Jisoo opened his mouth to reply but YN cut him off by whistling. Within seconds two security guards were at the bar and Jisoo’s friends dragged him towards the exit. It was clear that he wanted to say or do something, but he left without much issue and after that YN could breathe.

However, breathing meant that it all came crashing down on her and the next thing she knew she ran to the office with tears streaming down her face.

The intention was to get in there alone and ride out whatever wave of emotion hit until she could pull it together and go back to work like nothing happened. Of course, that meant that the first part didn’t happen.

Hyungwon had followed behind her and slipped in before she could fully close the door. Though it bothered a part of her she didn’t have it in her to say anything or react. She did have the energy to cry harder though, her attempt at silent tears only lasting seconds before sobs wracked her body.

In her head all she could think about is what happened all those years ago. Except the pain she felt was amplified. YN knew it wasn’t because of that or at least the feeling wasn’t solely because of that. No, because after reliving that in her head her brain brought up every other failed relationship and honestly all the failures in her life. It didn’t stop playing the flashbacks until it reached the more recent things to fuck up her life plans and the uncertain romantic feelings she had to endure.

It was all too much, especially when it came at her all at once.

She ended up so in her own head that she didn’t feel Hyungwon pull her into his arms and hold her close. Didn’t hear the apologies and words of reassurance. Didn’t hear the curses about her ex. Didn’t even feel when he moved them from standing to sitting in a chair, her on his lap with her face in his neck.

And time passed so swiftly that she couldn’t tell how long they’d been like that once she’d come back to. But it didn’t matter because it heightened her embarrassment of what had occurred and she attempted to escape him, only to be held in place by bony fingers.

Once she stopped fighting Hyungwon removed one of his hands and used it to lift her chin, forcing her to look at him.

“Your crying is valid and don’t you dare think otherwise. None of that embarrassed or frustrated bullshit because you deserve to be able to release all that,” Hyungwon said.

Even after years apart he still knew her reactions to being overwhelmed through and through, and in that moment she was eternally grateful.

With a nod from her he didn’t stop there.

“That was unexpected and I’m sorry he was here. I forgot how horrible he could be and then he’s just gotten worse over time. You’d think someone would stop playing those games and trying to mess with people’s mental and emotional stability, but alas here he is. I think his company was planning to do an event here, I’ll tell them we’re canceling it and that he’s the reason. Might even throw in some security footage for good measure.”

YN opened her mouth to object, but Hyungwon gave her a look that shut her up.

“Besides that, and I know this is a horrible time, I want to apologize. The way I acted a week ago was uncalled for. When you said it, I believed you I really did. It was just something that wanted to deny that he would. Not necessarily for my own feelings, though they did come into play. But also, because he’s the one who came to me. I had no interest in him whatsoever, but he was persistent in a way that wasn’t creepy and I thought who would work that hard to just throw it away. Especially when they’d been the one to bring up the subject of marriage recently.

“So, I went on the defense and instead of just checking what you had to say or denying it and moving on I went to the worst possible conclusion. Said things I didn’t believe even as they left my mouth. And thus, for the second time since meeting you hurt you in a way that wasn’t okay in the slightest. And I understand that you may not want to work towards friendship. I like to think we were close to getting back or wanting to deal with me. I just want to apologize because you deserve one and I know I was in the wrong.”

What neither of them expected, least of all YN, was her to start crying again. Her head dropped onto his shoulder and she felt her body shake again as she let it out. Though she could tell he was confused by the way his body tensed, he didn’t say anything and simply rubbed her back gently as she cried it out.

About five minutes later YN spoke.

“You’re a fucking idiot and an asshole.”

Hyungwon laughed. “True. But you know what happened when you tried to get me to be nicer for that month. If we’re being honest you made me worse.”

YN laughed that time, remembering how Hyungwon spent every day being closely watched by her as he tried to not be snarky with people. By the end he’d given up and snapped on some annoying man that wouldn’t leave them be and she was sure she saw tears in his eyes as he ran away from the fuming Hyungwon.

He mellowed out after that, but when someone truly tried him he was a lot more than he used to be. YN marked that as a major fail and stuck to keeping him calm when he rightfully deserved to put someone in their place, which was oddly often at their school.

“Yeah, a mistake on my part. But at least I got you to start counting to ten before you unleashed yourself.”

“Ah yes, what a great help that is. Ten seconds longer of dealing with the idiots.”

They both laughed that time and when they pulled it together they talked. About everything in detail. Nothing was left off the table and by the end YN felt less weight on her shoulders.

By the time they were done about an hour and a half had gone by, meaning they’d been back in the room for over two hours and the bar was shutting down.

“I guess I should go help since I flaked on my shit at the end,” YN said as she got up from Hyungwon’s lap.

At first he nodded and got up too seemingly ready to follow her and the next he was giving her a look and grasping at her wrist.

“What?” she asked, confused.

“You need to talk to them.”

A groan escaped her immediately and her head tilted back as she blew out a puff of air.

“Nope. None of that. Talk to them. Tonight. And don’t be a stubborn brat and not let them finish what they have to say. I’m sure it would clear up a lot of things for her,” Hyungwon said.

There was no use in arguing because he would win and she knew he was right, even if she didn’t want to admit that to herself.

“Fine.”

And that was all it took for him to release her and take the lead on exiting the office. However, YN didn’t get the chance to leave right behind him. The moment Hyungwon was out, both Johnny and Yoongi stumbled in forcing her to take several steps back.

They both appeared nervous and disheveled, which helped calm YN for some reason. Though it didn’t get rid of all the feelings like she would’ve preferred.

“We need to talk. Now. We can’t keep putting it off,” Johnny blurted out.

If YN didn’t know how frazzled he got under pressure she’d be shocked by his actions, much like Yoongi who stared the man down eyes wide, but she’d known Johnny long enough to expect that kind of thing. What she was shocked about is how he didn’t dive into explaining right then and there.

Once she was sure he was done talking and that Yoongi had nothing to say she took over.

“We do need to talk. But it would be better not here. So, after we close up and at the apartment, yeah?”

That appeared to shock Yoongi more and Johnny too. They both probably assumed she’d be resistant or straight up tell them no. Things she debated on for half a second but couldn’t go through with.

“Okay,” they both said.

With that YN patted both of them on the shoulder and headed out to help.

About an hour after that everyone was done and headed out of the door. They said their goodbyes with the staff - and Hyungwon who hugged her while threatening what would happen if she didn’t give either man a chance to talk - then they got in a taxi to go back to the apartment.

Silence prevailed, which made YN awkward since she was sandwiched between them in the back seat, but she didn’t let it take over her. At least not too much. She held strong despite it and managed to make it out of the car and into the apartment without thinking of making a run for it.

The same couldn’t be said for either of the men though. YN hadn’t faced them until she was rid of her jacket and shoes and sat on the love seat, but the moment she did they froze. For a second they stared at each other both expressions unsure, but then they seemed to come to a consensus and finally fully entered the apartment, taking a seat on the couch.

Again, they were immersed in silence, but that only made things more tense.

“Go ahead,” she said.

Thankfully, they didn’t take long to react to that.

“We,” Yoongi started, pausing to look at Johnny before continuing. “We know we’ve done a horrible job at making things clear to you. We’ve been a little secretive and haven’t made the most effort in ensuring you were okay when we saw that something was off. It was a major fuck up on our part, one that could’ve prevented if I hadn’t been so stuck on keeping a certain timeline on how we should talk to you about this. And I’m starting to ramble when it was agreed upon that I would tell you so we could get straight to the point. And oh my fucking goodness, will I stop it already. Okay, basically we both want to date you.”

YN felt her entire body tense as confusion filled her.

“Excuse me?” she said.

That went unheard though.

“That’s not how we agreed you’d say it,” Johnny whined.

Yoongi scoffed. “It is. Well, not exactly but all the words I used were in the agreed upon statement.”

“Maybe, but you could have at least tried to eas-”

“Excuse me!” YN shouted.

That stopped Johnny and got both their attention.

“You don’t get to drop a bomb like that and then not elaborate. Especially to a very confused person whose last week has been trash. Explain yourselves.”

There was another silent moment of them staring at each other and then Yoongi gestured for Johnny to go ahead. Johnny rolled his eyes but turned his full attention to YN before speaking.

“What Yoongi said was true, we do both want to date you. But before you start to spiral and come up with your own conclusions let me fill in a few things. We’ve both known Yoongi for over a year now, you more than me. And he and I have always clicked despite how worried you were that he would slap me upside the head for being too friendly and getting in his space. It’s an easy kinda friendship we’ve had going, but then that day at the bar a few months ago we really clicked. I know we’ve been obvious about the attraction and it’s only built over time.

“The thing is we soon realized that both of us also feel something for you. Those feelings are from before we ever looked at each other that way and despite the growing feelings between us it was still there. Yoongi just about lost his shit when he realized and was very confused. And well, you know that most of my relationships have been poly, so it was nothing new for me. Though still kinda surprising because I thought I’d continue to live my life not acting on feelings for you I’ve felt for years.”

“I’m sorry what?” YN practically screamed.

The interruption earned her a glare which quieted her despite wanting an answer.

“As I was saying. I was planning to not act on them, but then suddenly someone else who I liked felt the same way for you as I did and it felt like a chance. That plus Hyungwon telling me I was an idiot for not realizing the crush you had on me before you got with dickwad back in college after he overheard me talking to Yoongi. But either way everything aligned and after I got Yoongi to accept that this was a viable option we started doing those group hangouts. To us they were test dates, but then we… well we…”

“We realized that we weren’t including you as much as we thought and could tell how third wheeling it felt,” Yoongi said.

Johnny nodded. “Yes, that. We failed to factor in as people who know each other, but don’t know each other and who are using those outings as dates we’d get caught up in each other. Which we realized but didn’t realize how bad until yet again Hyungwon overheard us. Told us we were idiots, because it was clear that you felt something for both of us and yet we were both going around acting like a couple in early days while dragging their friend who didn’t know we liked them around. And then we decided to fix things, but then the falling out with Hyungwon happened and nothing worked so we were unsure of what to do next besides maybe cornering you. So, yeah.”

With the way Johnny so abruptly ended that YN was left unsure of how to proceed. What had been said was a lot to take in. Not because it was wild or out of her comfort zone, but because despite feelings she’d had no time to process her own. She knew how she felt about them both, but she’d never allowed herself to linger on it too long to address how to handle things. And when she found herself finally admitting it things went to shit and she thought the only people she’d been interested in in years were on their way to dating each other without her ever having a real chance of seeing if either of them felt the same way.

Since YN hadn’t gotten that out of the way she definitely had no time to factor in any poly relationship. Like Johnny said she did know he was into it, but Yoongi wasn’t someone she knew well enough to know if he was down for that. He didn’t judge it, but not caring about how people lived their lives and actively participating were two different things.

Just the thought of having that conversation with him made her nervous despite it being more of what he would have done in the past and not in her present since she’d heard that he’d agreed with it. At least that’s what she thought they said. Her brain was frazzled.

“Hold on,” she finally said after minutes of silence. “So, I’m clear. You both want to date me and each other? You just failed to realize that you should’ve gotten to know each other better and go on dates alone, before trying to test out a poly relationship with me without my knowledge?”

“Yes,” Yoongi said while Johnny nodded.

Without warning pillows from the loveseat were in YN’s hands, she was standing, and said pillows were making contact with each male’s body.

“You. Two. Are. Fuckin. Idiots. How. Could. You. Not. Think. That. Through? What. Happened. To. Being. So. Got. Damn. Smart. Huh?”

Each word was spoken in time with the pillows swinging down on them. And though they squirmed they didn’t try to dodge or take them away from her. They let her keep going until she was satisfied.

Upon her clearly giving up her attack they both reach out and pull her down onto the couch so her body stretched out across them.

“Yes, we’re idiots. And we’re sorry about not thinking things through and telling you. But we’re idiots who are smitten with you and would like a chance to date you,” Johnny said, his hand moved to find the spot at the back of her head that she enjoyed being scratched. She didn’t even care that he was messing up her hair a little, just relaxed into the feeling.

“Ditto,” Yoongi said.

That drew glares from Johnny and YN, which he responded to by throwing his hands in the air in surrender.

“We are really sorry. And if you could let us date you, it would make me very happy,” he said.

His second response sated both of them and they relaxed back into their little moment. And as time ticked by they all grew more comfortable. There was more to talk about, but they cleared the space and it was clear they were all relieved. YN most of all.

Though she tried not to show it, YN felt giddy and wanted to giggle as she watched them both interact with each other and her. So much so that it slipped out when they both leaned over to press kisses to her cheeks. It seemed to amuse them, but she was so embarrassed she slipped away to change and scolded herself for the behavior. Not that she didn’t do it again when her mind replayed what happened.

They spent the rest of the night watching TV and eating food they’d ordered. It was peaceful and comfortable, so much so that they almost fell asleep on the couch.

Two in the morning rolled around before they all dragged feet to climb in Johnny’s bed and knock out. YN wanted to sleep on the outside of the bed, but ended up sandwiched between the both of them, not that she complained about it.

Once they were all comfortable they said their good nights and tried to sleep, but one adjustment by Johnny against her ass had YN slapping his arm.

“You cannot possibly be hard right now,” she whined.

Johnny pressed closer after that, grinding his dick against her ass more.

“You can’t possibly be calling me out on it right now as if it hasn’t happened before,” he mumbled.

“And both of you can’t possibly be having this conversation while I try to sleep. Go to bed before the next thing you’re both complaining about is how bruised and sore your asses are,” Yoongi chimed in.

Though it was meant as a means to shut them up all it did was elicit whimpers from both of them at the thought. That’s when Yoongi sat up and stared down at them and even in the dark they could see the smirk.

“Oh, you like that do you?”

They both nodded eagerly.

“Then strip.”

Numbness vibrated through her being. Imogene remained quiet the entire ride up. It seemed as if she shut down all emotions in her body. 

They reached the main lobby and stepped out. The sunlight peeked from behind the clouds. Jin tapped Jungkook’s shoulder and pointed at the windows. Dark red streaks painted the windows and doors.

“What do you think happened?”

Jin frowned, staring hard. “I think they tried to get in here last night.”

Jungkook hummed. “Do you think your brother got out before the attack?”

“Most likely,” he answered bitterly. His eyes went over to Imogene. She’d found a place to sit off in the corner away from them. He dropped his voice for only Jungkook to hear. “Is she going to be alright?”

Jungkook looked up from checking his ankle and bit his bottom lip. “Honestly I don’t know. Yoongi gave his life for us to get out of the lab. Imogene looked up to him like a father figure or big brother.”

Jin sighed. “Do you think I should go over there?”

Jungkook shook his head. “Let her be. Let’s worry about getting out of here and back to the car. All the weapons are in there and we need to plan our next move.”

“I think–”

The sound of his ringer made both men jump. Jin pulled it out of his back pocket and peered at the caller id. He swore out loud and slid the button on the screen, making sure to hit the speaker button for Jungkook to hear.

“Namjoon? What the hell. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine Jin. It’s good to hear your voice. I’ve been trying to contact you all night! I thought the worst.” 

“No, no. I’m fine. I was in the lab all night… a long story. Where are you? Aren’t you still on Jeju Island?”

“No. I’m back in Seoul.”

Jin sputtered incredulously. “What? How?”

Namjoon’s voice sounded haggard as he let out a quiet chuckle. “Long story. Listen I’m at my old place. Can you get here?”

Jin glanced at Jungkook getting the approving nod. “Yes. I’m bringing a few...friends. Is that alright?”

“Sure. Get here quickly.”

“See you soon.”

They clicked off and Jin gave Jungkook a look. “Guess we’re going to see Namjoon.”

“Who's Namjoon?”

They both jumped in surprise as Imogene walked over to them. Her face remained expressionless as she glanced at Jin. He tugged on his ear avoiding her gaze.

“He’s a close friend of mine. We were colleagues. I went to Jeju Island to study the resurrection plant. We were the ones to find it.”

Jungkook’s jaw dropped. Imogene narrowed her eyes at him. “So you’re telling me you ass hats were the ones that started it?”

Jin held his hands up defensively. “What? No! Do you think I would have given that plant to the company if I knew what it did?”

“Men have done stupider things,” she spat as her fist balled. 

Jungkook placed himself in between them, more so to keep Jin from getting his face knocked in. He gripped Imogene’s arms and frowned. “Now's not the time Im. Chill out. We’ll figure this out. Has Jin put us in danger yet?”

As she opened her mouth, Jungkook held a finger up. “Don’t answer that.”

Imogene wiggled from his grip and pushed him aside. Her shoulders bumped into Jin with a huff as she walked by. Jin’s face became flush with embarrassment. Jungkook slapped the back of his shoulder making his knees buckle. 

“Might wanna let her cool off. I’d suggest keeping your distance. C’mon and let's get to this friend’s place.”

---

“What’s our status?”

Taehyung swirled in the chair at his desk and pressed his fingers together. “Not good. Bangtan LabCorp has been overridden. How are the other locations?”

“There have been sightings, but nothing out of the ordinary. We’ve kept the media out the loop. When we do release information, we’ll say it was a water contamination issue.”

Taehyung stared at the screen with a nod. “That works. It seems the problem is only in the Seoul area. If we can keep it quarantined, things can go well. I don’t want the military involved until the level reaches orange.”

“Very well Kim Taehyung. Keep us notified. We expect results.”

Taehyung smirked with a nod. “You’ll get your product as long as you get my money.”

“Very good. Best of luck.”

Taehyung bowed his head, clicking the screen off, and closed his laptop. He padded around his penthouse staring out the windows. Hands collapsed behind his back, he watched as the early morning sun rose over the horizon. Had he been smart with his decision the night before? He furrowed his brows deep in thought. Jin could ruin everything if it got out. He was positive the problem had been taken care of. 

Still, he always needed to make sure his loose ends were tied up. He pressed the intercom on the desk as a gruff voice spoke up.

“Yes, Taehyung-nim?”

“Get the car. We’re going for a ride.”

---

Jin decided to drive once more to let Jungkook rest his ankle. Imogene opted for the backseat, mumbling about needing space. Jin let her be but caught himself catching glimpses of her in the rearview mirror periodically. 

They arrived at Namjoon’s place at a reasonable time despite Jin getting lost on the way. As they reached the apartment complex, Jin stopped the car at the entrance to the parking garage.

“Should I chance it?”

“Didn’t you mention those things like dark places?” Jungkook asked.

“Shit. Good point. The street it is,” Jin muttered, finding a parking spot that was accessible. “Luckily he lives on the first floor,” he said getting out of the car.

Imogene grabbed a few guns tossing one to Jungkook. Jin’s eyes widened. “What’s with the guns?!”

She glared at him with a snarl. “This–” she waves the gun wildly, “isn’t leaving my side! I’m not going anywhere without it again.”

There was no use arguing. Jin just simply nodded and walked up to the gate and pressed the buzzer. Jungkook followed with Imogene not far behind. Seconds later the gate buzzed open. Imogene and Jungkook were on high alert as they walked through the courtyard. The silence left them tense. Jin walked on as his eyes scanned the area for anything peculiar.  Not even a flutter from the curtains of near windows. It made the hairs on his neck rise. 

In the corner of his eye, he noticed a door open and sighed in relief as Namjoon’s face appeared. He waved them over and they ran over entering his place. Namjoon closed the door, locking it tightly, and began to push a large cabinet in front of the door. Jin helped him until it was flushed. Jin wrapped him a hug breathing out a sigh of comfort. 

“It’s good to see a familiar face.”

Namjoon laughed, patting his back. “Not without trying. Thanks for coming by.”

Jin pulled away, gesturing to the others. “Namjoon this is Detective Park Imogene and her partner Detective Jeon Jungkook.”

Namjoon gave each a steady handshake. Imogene was the first to notice the bandage on his left hand. He’d done a haphazard job wrapping his hand up. 

“How’d you hurt your hand? Looks pretty messed up.”

The man coughed, adjusting his glasses, and moved over to Jin. “That’s why I called you over.”

Jin’s brows knitted in curiosity. “Why?”

Namjoon stood as he paced along the floor looking visibly uncomfortable. “Well after you left Jeju Island, I just couldn’t shake the feeling something bad was going to happen. I sat on that feeling for a while and took a ferry a few days ago. I went straight to your place–I remembered where you kept the spare key–and stopped by, but you weren’t there.”

Jin nodded, a feeling of uneasiness went over him as he listened to Namjoon speak. His friend never looked this distraught. He placed his hand on Namjoon’s shoulder letting the weight ground him. “It’s alright. Namjoon just tell me.”

Loud barks interrupted them as Sasha bound into the living room running straight to Jin. She propped up on her hind legs pawing at him with a whine. 

“Sasha!!”

Jin scooped her into his arms as she covered his face in kisses.

“I missed you too baby,” he cooed, holding her tight. A snicker made him look up to see Jungkook’s shoulder shaking as he laughed silently in the corner. 

Jin’s face reddened as Sasha cocked her head to the side. He placed her on the floor as she walked up to Imogene sniffing around her ankles. She decided the woman was friendly enough and gave her a tentative lick. Tongue lulling, Sasha pawed at Imogene begging to be petted. Jin chuckled, giving Imogene a nod.

“She likes you.”

“I see,” Imogene answered. With some caution, Imogene began to scratch behind Sasha’s ear, earning her a bark of approval and when she rolled onto her back to receive a belly rub, Sasha wouldn’t leave her side. She was just equally attached to Jungkook as well, curling in his lap as he stroked her fur.

Now that the excitement died down about Sasha returning, Jin turned to Namjoon. He’d finally decided to sit on a stool at the counter table.

“Where did you find her? I’ve been trying to get in contact with Abby? Have you seen her? Is she okay?”

Namjoon rubbed his forehead. “About that–”

A sound from behind a closed door made Sasha jump off Jungkook’s lap. She growled as her ears flattened. Jin’s eyes went from her to the door. Sasha wasn’t an aggressive dog. Sure she barked at strangers, but overall she was friendly to anyone.

Imogene and Jungkook stood, hands on the guns at their hip. “What’s behind the door?”

Namjoon stood at once knocking over the stool he sat in and ran to the bedroom. “You have to know it was an accident.”

Jin pressed his lips together. “Namjoon, you’re scaring me. What happened? What accident?”

Jungkook clenched his jaw stepping forward. “If you don’t open the door, I will.”

The defeat in Namjoon’s face was apparent as he struggled with coming to terms with it. He exhaled deeply and twisted the doorknob open. Jin walked forward and looked inside. He let out a yell, falling backward. Imogene and Jungkook ran inside after him. She nearly dropped her gun at what she saw. 

One of the creatures was tied to the bed, lashing at them. Teeth bared as blood dripped from her mouth. She pulled at the restraints wanting nothing more than to attack. Jin stood, getting a closer look only to find a charm necklace hanging from her neck.

“Abby?”

She hissed trying to bite Jin. He jumped back blinking. Imogene turned to Namjoon. “What the hell? Why is she here?”

Namjoon slid to the floor tugging at the strands of his hair. “It happened so fast. When I went to your place, Abby was waiting there with Sasha. She remembered me from before and we chatted, wondering where you were. She saw the note you left and we were going to go to Bangtan LabCorp,” his voice got shaky as he explained further. “As we left your apartment, one of those things attacked us. I tried to fight it and managed to subdue it, but another came from behind and tried to jump me. Abby jumped in the way and it bit her.” He choked back a sob as Jin felt his heart sink.

“How–”

“We were able to make it back here. She was in a lot of pain but managed to stay coherent. I tried my best to clean her wound but it spread so quickly. She told me to tie her to the bed so she wouldn’t hurt me,” Namjoon looked up as his face was shining with tears. “She saved me because she said I would be the person to help you fix this. I watched her transform into that thing.”

“I had almost had her tied up, but–” He removed the bandage from his arm to show a large bit imprinted on the side of his hand.

Imogene and Jungkook pointed their guns at him, cocking the chamber back. “Jin, stay back. He’s infected!”

“No!” Namjoon stood waving his hands. “I’m not, I swear!” He looked at Jin with pleading eyes. “After Abby bit me, I thought I was a goner, but I ran to the bathroom and submerged my hand under the water. I-I can’t explain it, but it left the wound.”

Jin turned to the detectives. “Let him explain.”

They lowered their guns and gestured for him to leave the bedroom. Everyone walked out as Abby let out guttural snarls until the door shut. Namjoon ran into the bathroom and brought out a tiny glass bottle filled with liquid. “Look at this Jin,” he said, handing it to him.

Jin held the bottle up and stared. Small worm-like things laid at the bottom of the bottle. 

Imogene peered over his shoulder as she shuddered. “What the fuck is that?”

“That is what’s on the plant. That was the bacteria we found from before. These worms live on the plants and when they're injected into a person, the worms are the cause of it!”

“That...fuck,” Jungkook looked bewildered as he sank down onto the couch, Sasha jumping in his lap to lick his face.

“You’re telling me that these things are transferred from the bites?” Jin felt dizzy as he leaned against the couch taking deep breaths.

“Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying. And water kills them,” Namjoon explained.

“Why can’t you put her in water?” Imogene asked, staring at him.

“It would kill her. Abby is too far gone,” Namjoon said as he glanced back at the door. “I promised I would help you find a cure. And that’s what I intend to do.”

Jin picked up Sasha with a nod. “Alright. Let’s get to work.”

----

Imogene cursed, turning the dial down on her radio. The feedback alone would give her position away. She looked around the deserted street, eyes scanning for any signs of the creatures. Good so far. Imogene hid behind a car flipped over near the entrance of the store. 

The snow flurries fell to the ground, dusting everything. Winter had come to Seoul. Maybe making a supply run alone wasn’t the smartest thing to do, but they were running low at Jin’s place. Usually Jungkook would watch from a high-rise making sure she was covered if the creatures were out. But today was her turn to take watch and she made a detour to an abandoned corner store. 

Three months and no luck of a cure. Seo-bi’s notes were a start, but nothing was said about a cure being found. After the incident at Namjoon’s place, they opted to move to Jin’s place for safety reasons.

She pulled out her wristwatch and glanced at the time. 

“Okay, fifteen minutes ought to be good. ”

Briefly, she closed her eyes,  got up and ran into the store. Glass littered the ground as she stepped inside. To her relief, the place hadn’t been picked apart just yet. She ran over to the aisle for medical supplies, stuffing gauze, ointment, and rubbing alcohol into her bag. Her ears perked, listening for any sounds, and continued her task. Imogene ran into another aisle happy to see liters of water still on the shelves. She grabbed as much as she could carry, making sure to take some canned food and ramen packets. 

Imogene glanced down at her watch, noting she still had time and noticed a door behind the register. Her interest piqued as she stepped towards it. Hand on the doorknob, she made sure the silencer was secure. The last thing she needed was to attract anything her way. Not wasting any time, she opened the door only to recoil from the stench. Imogene gagged as she stepped away, leaning over the counter. Three creatures laid on the floor of the small storage room. Unmoving, she knew the slightest noise would wake them. She closed the door cautiously and stepped back, not realizing her hip bumped a box of toys.

The sound that followed made her wince as the toys crashed to the ground. The sounds of hisses grew louder from behind the door. She wasn’t going to stay behind to find out. Imogene grabbed her bag and sprinted out of the store, noting the sky had begun to darken more. The door crashed open as the creatures came out to chase her down.

“Shit!” 

Imogene turned on her radio as she ran. “Jin? Jin! Pick up! I’m coming your way!”

The radio static crinkled as Jin hit the button.

“Imogene? Where are you? You were supposed to be here an hour ago. Hurry your ass! There’s some activity coming your way!”

“Listen. Now is not the time for a lecture, just have the side entrance open for me!”

Bullets whizzed past her as she wove around the debris. The creature in hot pursuit until the thuds behind her indicated all the targets had been disposed of.

It wasn’t long before she made it back to Jin’s apartment, taking the side entrance. She hurried up the stairs breathing hard as she knocked on his door almost collapsing against it. He opened the door, rifle in hand as he let her in.

Imogene threw the bag down on the floor and dropped onto the couch catching her breath. Jin handed her a small bottle of water,  and sat next to her. She swallowed half the bottle before speaking. 

“Your aim is improving.”

“Forget my aim. What the hell did you think you were doing going off on your own? You know we have a buddy system Imogene.”

Her expression changed from exhausted to annoyed in a matter of seconds. “It made sense to go out while I was on watch.” Sasha ran in as Imogene picked her up and stroked her.

“Stop being so brash. You’re going to get yourself killed,” he fussed, glaring at her.

Ignoring him, she began to stand as Sasha jumped from her to go over to Jin, barking for attention. Imogene removed her jacket and threw it on a chair as she stood. “We need to be more careful going on runs. I ran into some of those things at the store. They seem to hide in dark areas when it’s daylight.”

Jin removed his glasses as he leaned against the couch, rubbing his eyes. He scratched Sasha’s ear thoughtfully. “It’s just as Seo-bi described. These creatures...zombies if you want to be technical, are active not just at night, but the temperature affects how they move around. She wrote they are the most active in the fall and winter when the ground is colder.”

Imogene scowled as she sat there. “You failed to mention that.” With a groan, she rubbed a knot at the base of her neck. “Where’s Jungkook and Namjoon?” 

Jin sighed, sitting back as Sasha curled against him. “They went to get more ammo.” 

Imogene rubbed her eyes as she felt the exhaustion set in. All the adrenaline from before now had settled. She sat up stretching her limbs. “Fine. Tell me when they get home. I’m heading to sleep.”

She walked out of the room, heading to one of the guest rooms. Sasha perked up from Jin’s lap and trotted after her just before the door closed. 

He was worried about her. Imogene hadn’t come to terms with her Captain’s death yet. Spending much of her time getting into dangerous situations. She only left her room to run for supplies and slept the rest of the day. She was self-isolating and didn’t open up to Jungkook. It wasn’t healthy.

His ears reddened thinking about a talk he and Jungkook had the other night on the roof while he kept watch.

Jin sighed. “I-I don’t know what you want me to do Jungkook. You’re her partner, the closest thing she has to family. What good could I do?”

“It’s easy to see that you both like each other,” the younger male blurted out.

Jin laughed in disbelief. “That’s...no...I mean...please...whatever. I’m not into her.”

Jungkook nodded in agreement. “Bullshit. I notice how flustered you get around her.” 

Shaking his head of the thoughts, he reached for the remote and turned on his television. Luckily the city was now aware of the disease. Saying it was a disease made it easier for people to stay cautious. Martial law was instated, making sure people remained in their homes until the government took the necessary steps to rectify it. He watched as the newscaster, from the safety of her home, spoke into her camera, still warning people of attacks. 

“Remember to not leave your homes. The military will be here soon enough.”

Jin turned the volume down on the television rolling his eyes. If only they knew what he did. He was sure Taehyung was behind this coverup. Saying it was a pandemic to keep the panic down. He slammed his fist into his hand. His brother would pay. 

He leaned back staring at the ceiling and his eyes darted towards the guestroom. The door opened as Imogene entered decked in just a long shirt drying her hair with a towel. Jin straightened his posture as he looked forward. 

Imogene raised her eyebrow at how awkward he was being and joined him on the couch. She tucked her feet in under her butt and pointed at the screen.

“They say anything worthwhile?”

Jin chuckled bitterly. “Nothing. I think Tae is covering up most of the deaths.”

“Wouldn’t put it past him,” she replied drily. “You said they say it's some pathogen from an illness, right?”

“Yeah. Bangtan LabCorp is ‘looking into a vaccine’. I call bluff. They don’t know anything.”

Imogene hummed, propping her elbow on the arm of the couch, resting her fist under her chin. Silence fell over them as the news played in the background. Imogene’s mind was elsewhere. She snuck a glance at Jin. His hair had grown longer over the past months. Exhaustion and stress etched his features. She knew he and Namjoon were hard at work attempting to make a cure, but with limited supplies, it seemed fruitless. Still, she couldn’t help but feel more attracted to his new rugged look. Without much thinking, like most things in her life, she crawled over to Jin. He must have really been deep in thought to not notice how close Imogene was because he didn’t react until her lips were on his neck.

Jin jumped with a yelp glancing at her, hand on his chest. “Imogene! W-What are you doing?”

Imogene sat back giving him a hungry stare. “What do you think? You’re quite intelligent Jin. You must know what I’m doing.”

He felt flustered as he tried to put some distance between them. “Don’t you think this is sort of inappropriate?”

“No.”

“No?”

“We’re two attractive individuals. There’s nothing wrong with intimacy.”

With a dubious laugh, Jin placed a throw pillow in his lap. “I didn’t say that. I just think that having our minds on that wouldn’t be smart. Who knows when Namjoon and Jungkook return.”

Imogene snorted, running her hands through her damp hair. “So you’ve never wanted to fuck me?”

If it was possible for steam to spill from someone’s ear, Jin would have been the top candidate. He fumbled trying to think of a response. Of course he thought of that. He was human after all. His eyes darted to Imogene as she sat there. The trickles of water from her hair dripped onto her shirt– a white top nonetheless. It seemed his eyes kept giving away his answers. The swell of her breasts were outlined perfectly. Jin caught himself wetting his lips several times.

“Imogene–”

“Kiss me.”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“I–it’s not that simple.”

“Yes it is. Don’t think, just do it.”

Jin struggled to keep his senses, but she stood there so inviting. She wanted him and he wanted her. Would he worry about the repercussions? Of course. But for now, his libido was winning this battle against his mind. 

Without another word, Jin grabbed Imogene by her wrist bringing her to straddle his lap. Her lips crashed against his, dominating the kiss. His arms were limp at his sides at the sudden assault, shocked at her bold advances. 

As he came out of his daze, he placed his hands on her hips, massaging the warm skin. Imogene shuddered against him, wrestling her tongue with his. Her hands dragged down his chest fumbling with the buttons until she pulled away for air. Jin's chest raised as he gazed at her. Imogene smirked moving to nip at his bottom lip. She tugged on it with her teeth eliciting a hiss from him.

“You have amazing lips,” she cooed as her lips traveled to his jawline, leaving small nibbles here and there.

Jin groaned softly, hands traveling from her hips to her backside, cupping each cheek generously. He gulped as she reached his neck, making his hips shift under her. He dragged his hands back up to her hips keeping her anchored as her tongue trailed along his pulse point. 

“F-Fuck Imogene,” he grunted deeply.

He felt her lips smile against his skin. “I’m just getting started.”

Jin felt hot all over as his pants grew tight. Short breaths spilled from his nostrils as he felt his cock grow hard with each kiss on his neck. Normally he was the one to make any first moves, but this was new territory for him. Imogene knew what she wanted and how to get it. It was a breath of fresh air, and if he was being honest, she was turning him on. 

Imogene moaned as she felt his erection press against her mound. She purred, moving up to his ear biting the lobe gently. 

“And you thought this was inappropriate.”

Jin pulled her away to stare into her eyes. “You really walk a fine line Imogene.”

“Always.”

Her eyes dropped down to the growing bulge between his legs and smirked. “Mind if I take a peek?”

Jin bit his lip, the hunger growing in his eyes. “Please do.”

She made a show of unbuttoning his pants and tugging down the zipper slowly. She liked what she saw. Already half mast, he was an adequate size. The veins in his shaft bulged as the head of his cock wept with precum. Imogene drooled at the sight.

“Shit.”

Self-consciousness took over and his face grew hot. “I-It’s not a big deal.”

Imogene giggled as she placed an affectionate peck on his lips. “You’re much too modest Jin. But that’s what makes you endearing.”

He leaned in and kissed her slowly, the infatuation taking over him as it grew in intensity. He let out a sharp inhale as she wrapped her hand around his length, pumping him at a snail’s pace. His hips jerked as he clenched his jaw, shutting his eyes. Soft pants escaped from between his lips as she worked him over. His fingers tickled her bare skin under her tank top. Eyes blown out in desire, Jin snorted through his nostrils as he tugged on the bottom of it.

“May I?”

Imogene slid her tongue over her lips and smirked. “You don’t have to ask.”

He wasted no time, wrenched it off her body and discarded it on the floor. He sucked in a breath as he stared at her breasts, snug enough to fit in his palm. He squeezed one, dragging his thumb over an erect nipple. Imogene let out a breathy sigh as he put his focus and attention on them. Jin bent down still squeezing and tugging on the other breast while his lips sought the suppleness. He suckled gently, teeth dragging making her fingers dig into his thighs. Imogene adjusted her position on top of his lap to straddling one of his thighs, grinding against it. He held her in place, his free hand placed delicately on her lower back.

So caught in each other, they didn’t hear the electronic beep from the keypad on the door. Namjoon and Jungkook walked in talking and joking with each other. Jungkook moved into the living room carrying his bag as he looked around.

“Hey Jin, I–”

Jungkook dropped the bag, jaw dropping at the sight. Imogene opened her eyes at the sound, a look of annoyance on her face.

“Oh, you’re back.”

Namjoon stepped in sipping a juice box. He noticed Jungkook’s reaction and followed his gaze over to the couch. The drink slipped from his fingers and landed on the floor. Jin twisted around as his face turned bright pink.

“Oh shit! I–”

He busied himself trying to cover up Imogene, only to have her slap his hand away. “It’s fine Jin.”

“N-No it isn’t!”

Jungkook averted his gaze focusing on a spot on the wall. Namjoon mirrored Jungkook’s action. “Uh well this is awkward,” the botanist mumbled.

Imogene rolled her eyes. “It’s getting crowded in here.” She stood, holding her hand over her chest and grabbed Jin’s hand. “I think we’ll be better off in the bedroom.”

Jungkook didn’t look away from the spot until he heard the bedroom door close. He and Namjoon made eye contact and made a nervous chuckle.

“That was...uh interesting.”

“No shit. Not what I wanted to walk in on,” Jungkook grimaced with a shiver.

---

Taehyung watched the men gather supplies and weapons from the racks on the walls. A hooded figure moved to stand beside him, observing the action as well.

“Are you sure it’s with him?”

Taehyung hummed, running his hands through his hair. “I’m positive. We checked the lab after he escaped and the book wasn’t there.”

The person sighed deeply, the tone not amused. “Where do you think he’s hiding?”

“It’s been hard to keep track of what he’s up to, but I’m positive he’s holed up at his place. We checked Kim Namjoon’s apartment and it was cleared out. They’re up to something,” Taehyung explained.

“Be sure you get the book. Too much is at stake to be careless,” they warned.

Taehyung dismissed them with the wave of his hand. “Don’t be so brash. You’ll get it back. My brother is no closer to finding a cure for this. We’ll be rich soon enough.”

“I’m counting on you Taehyung. Don’t let me down.”

Taehyung gave a short bow, smirking. “That won’t be a problem.”

One of the men holstered a gun and turned to Taehyung. “We’re almost ready to go to Taehyung-nim.”

“Good, we head out before sunset.”

---

Imogene pushed Jin onto the bed. His back bounced on the mattress as she climbed on top of him. A teasing smile of her face, she dragged her nails down his shirt. 

“Much better scenery.”

Jin, albeit turned on, raised himself up, resting on his forearms. “You’re not embarrassed?”

She gave him a dumbfounded look. “About what?”

Jin scoffed, gesturing to the door. “About what just happened!”

“Um no,” she stated. She sat back on her heels with the tiniest of frowns. “Jin, do you not want to do this?”

Jin moved so he was at eye level with her, his hand on her waist. “Of course I want this.” He moved his hands to squeeze hers, giving her a reassuring smile.

Imogene leaned, kissing him hard, wrapping her arms around him. Jin wasted no time gripping her waist and flipping them over. His body loomed over hers as he tugged her shirt up. Sucking in a breath, he looped his finger under the band of her underwear, meeting her gaze. Imogene bit her lip, squirming under his gaze.

“Go ahead.”

He licked his lips pulling down her underwear and tossed it over his shoulder. He spread her legs, bending down and ogled at the sight. 

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.

Imogene wiggled under his gaze as his finger stroked the seam of her sex. Her head tossed against the pillow. “J-Jin, just do it!”

He smiled with a nod, taking his time as his tongue slipped from between his lips and licked along her lower lips. Imogene gripped the comforter as curses flew from her mouth. Her free hand went to grip his hair, pulling him closer. He obliged by taking her clit into his mouth to suckle. Imogene cried out from the sensation. Her hips rutted against his mouth trying to reach her goal. Jin slipped two fingers into her sex, pumping slowly. 

“Fuck Jin...ohgod...right there!”

---

Namjoon and Jungkook heard the noises rising from the bedroom and gave each other a look. 

“Um I think I’m gonna go do a lookout for a bit,” Jungkook said, grabbing a few handguns and a water bottle.

Namjoon stood, putting on his jacket. “I’ll join you.”

---

Jin came up for air, face slick with her arousal, licking his lips. Imogene’s eyes popped open from the abruptness. She glared at him. “W-Why you’d stop?”

He grinned, getting on his feet and removed his shirt, pants, and boxers. “I want you to come on my dick. Is that alright?”

Imogene shivered at the tone of his words. So unlike him, but seemed appropriate. She sat up removing her shirt and tilted her head at Jin playfully. “Then hurry up.”

He crawled back onto the bed, reaching over into the drawer and pulled a small foil wrapper out. “Patience.”

Annoyed, Imogene pushed him on the bed, snatching the condom from his hand. She shook it in front of his face teasingly. “You take too long,” she teased, tearing it open with her teeth. She rolled it on, making Jin groan.

Once it was secure, Imogene straddled him, teasing against his crotch. Jin’s hands shot up to grip her sides, squeezing. “D-Don’t tease me.”

Imogene smirked, whipping her hair to the side. “I’ll do what I please dear.”

At that moment she sank down on his erection, both groaning as they joined. Imogene let out a breathy sigh adjusting to his length and girth. Jin grunt as her wall clenched around him. “Oh fuck.”

She moaned finding her rhythm as she writhed on top of Jin. He moved his hips, helping her ride him. Sounds of their bodies moving and moans filled the room. Jin grabbed her breasts squeezing them and toying with her nipples. Imogene hissed riding him harder wanting nothing more than to release. “J-Jin I’m gonna–”

Jin flipped her on her back rutting against her. He pulled her leg over his shoulder getting a better grip. Pumping harder, he watched her face in fascination. 

“Imogene, cum for me. Please. I wanna feel you.”

A few more words of encouragement had Imogene toppling over the side, nails digging into his back, crashing her lips against his. Jin twirled his tongue with hers, moaning into her mouth as his thrust quicken to make his release. Imogene held him watching his expression through wet eyelashes. His concentration focused as he let out an elongated groan and collapsed against her.

They stayed like that, just taking in the silence, breathing hard. Jin eventually rolled off her as his strength returned. Imogene lay motionless until, much to her surprise, he pulled her against him. At first she started to protest–cuddling wasn’t something she’d ever done–but the sensation of his fingers along her back made her naturally mold against him. He smiled into her hair continuing his strokes.

The smell of the shampoo that lingered made him nostalgic. But how? And then he saw her. The kind eyes. Full lips. Hair always pulled back except those stubborn curls that didn’t stay. The wittiness and slight sharp tongue. 

“Seokjin.”

Jin gasped as his eyes opened. Imogene looked up with concern. “Are you okay?”

He glanced at her and around the room. Still here. He sighed looking up at the ceiling for a minute and nodded. He placed a kiss on her forehead giving her a comforting smile. “Yes. Much better than before.”

Imogene wrapped her leg over his, getting comfortable. “Good. I don’t intend to move from here for awhile.”

Jin laughed quietly as he snuggled closer to her. “That’s not a problem.”

---

Who knew how long they’d been asleep, but the sudden feedback from a megaphone jolted the couple awake. Confusion and distortion crossed their faces as they stumbled around the semi dark room. Jin threw on his pants as Imogene squirmed into something, reaching for a gun.

The sound of his phone made him jump as he picked it up, still perplexed it still worked.

“Hello Seokjin.”

Anger crossed his face immediately. Imogene gave Jin a look as he pressed the speaker button.

“What do you want Taehyung?”

“What, I can’t speak to my brother? I was fairly surprised to see you made out the lab.”

“No thanks to you,” Imogene blurted out.

“Is that the detective I hear? Lovely killing two birds with one stone. I have some people here you might know.”

Rustling could be heard on the line as struggling was heard.

“Im! Don’t do what he says!”

“Jin! They have people out–”

Imogene’s eyes widened. “He’s got Jungkook and Namjoon!”

Jin’s eyes narrowed as he snarled. “This is low, even for you Taehyung.”

“Desperate times call for desperate measures big brother. I need your cure and the book. Now.”

Jin stared at the phone incredulously. “What?! But I don’t have one!”

“You’re lying! You have until dusk to give it to me or I feed these pieces of shit to some lovely creatures. Is that clear?”

“Taehyung–”

“By dusk or else.”

The phone line clicked as Imogene and Jin sat in the room staring at each other in silence.

Beautiful Confession produced by @btsracket​  Jungkook x Reader | Smut and Fluff, Fake Dating, Childhood Friends To Lovers | In appreciation of the Kdrama Wednesday 3:30pm 

You’re on top with a perfect job and the company’s heir as your boyfriend until everything crashes down, leaving you locked out of your apartment with only your childhood friend, Jungkook, to turn to. Jungkook’s plan to help get you back on track follows the formula from a TV show he remembers you liking, but he never watched the end where they admit they've fallen in love.

trailer | watch here

Resurrection produced by @nightowls388​ Seokjin x OC | Horror, Thriller, Drama, Action, maybe Romance | Based on Kingdom 

Everyone thought it a myth...legend even, buried away as time moved on. Centuries of secrets and lies for the better of the country. No one knew what to expect. Two brothers. One's quest for power may lead to destruction. The other, a scientist teaming with a head strong detective and her partner to right the wrongs made. Will they be successful or fail?

trailer | watch here

A Treatise On Trysts produced by @xotoosweet​ Taehyung x Reader | Fluff, Smut, Romance, Humor, Strangers to Lovers | based on My Secret Romance 

First, to clarify: you don't do one night stands. Not that you judge anyone who participates in casual adult fun, but it's not for you - not when you're so awkward it's nearly guaranteed that any date like situation you partake in results in physical harm to the other. Besides, the one time you did hook-up with someone....well, you try not to remember. That was nearly three years ago, and you have more important things to focus on. Like your new job as the personal chef to some corporate jerk who doesn't know how to take care himself, and hasn't forgotten who stole his heart (along with his clothes!)

trailer | watch here

Moonlight Remains the Same produced by @kimlinebiased​ Jungkook x Yoongi | Enemies to Lovers, Smut, Angst, Fluff | Based on 2012 Kdrama To the Beautiful You 

Jungkook spent his entire life forced to be someone he wasn’t. Enrolling in an all male college where nobody knows his old pronouns, he finally has a chance to be the guy he’s always been inside. Jungkook only has two goals his first year: excelling academically and keeping his past private. But his plans get a little tougher when he ends up rooming with Yoongi, a basketball star with a rotten attitude and a superiority complex. Can Jungkook keep the turmoil in his world (and his heart) to a minimum as he learns there might be more to Yoongi than meets the eye? Or will it all come crashing down around him?

trailer | watch here

Across the Universe produced by @mintseesaw​ Jungkook x reader | fluff, angst, and smut | based on W: Two Worlds 

With a great career, an ideal boyfriend and a seemingly perfect life, no one would think you’re actually struggling with your hospital residency all the while trying to save your relationship with Namjoon. Taehyung, your best friend, has been out of reached for weeks now and the last thing you want is to be pulled accidentally into a fictional universe of a webtoon where you come face-to-face with its main character, Jeon Jungkook, who happens to recognize you as his childhood sweetheart. While you try to find a way to get back to the real world, Jungkook intends to keep you by his side.

trailer | watch here

XX produced by @randomkoalablog​ JB x Reader x Yoongi | Ex-Friends to Friends; Friends to Lovers, Co-workers to Lovers; Angst; Fluff; Smut??? | based on the kdrama XX 

When you work your whole life to reach your dreams of owning a bar you hope that having that dream ripped from under you without notice isn't a part of life's plan. And you definitely don't imagine that it comes with suddenly being business partners with your ex-best friend. But life doesn't work in the way we want it. At the end of the day you try to focus on the things that make life better, until the two men in your life who hold your heart (something you didn't think possible) meet and hit if off so well that you're sure your life is moments from collapsing completely.

trailer | watch here

To Have a Home produced by @kitsutaes​ Yoongi x Reader | romance, fluff, angst, strangers to lovers, fake marriage | Based on Because This Is My First Life 

Finding a home isn’t easy, you know that well. So when an opportunity comes your way, you take it with no hesitation. But, what you didn’t know was that your new roommate would soon be asking for your hand in marriage. 

trailer | watch here

Goblin: First Snow produced by @wynniewright​ Namjoon x Reader | angst, fluff, smut, goblin au | Based off the K-Drama Goblin 

There was something slightly off about Y/N's past that she couldn't quite pin down. Past memories resurface though she has no recollection of them, each new moment causing a rift in the reality that she knew. Her life was a puzzle and she was forced to pick up the pieces and figure out how they fit. After all, who was Kim Shin and how could she forget about her own husband? 

trailer | watch here

9 First Kisses produced by @namluve​ reader x nct | fluff | based on 7 First Kisses 

Daydreaming about prince charming saving you from your boring work was nothing new. A mysterious old lady leaving behind 9 cards as she get's her coffe was however and that was the start of it all. The start of how you meet 9 handsome men, each one fullfilling a dream of yours. But only for a day.

“Imogene!”

She turned towards the sound of Jin’s voice as the wind picked up, surrounding them in a swirl of flurries. She coughed looking around. She lost track of Jungkook and Namjoon. It seemed they were on their own.

Please be safe.

She cocked her gun at the onslaught of the undead heading their direction. With the wind blowing hard, she wasn’t sure if she was hitting any targets.

“Aim for the heads!” she roared over the wind. 

They just kept coming at them. It seemed never ending. Imogene lost track of how many times she reloaded her gun. Besides cold clotting them in the face or kicking some back, she knew she couldn’t give up. After fighting off two particular stubborn zombies, she heard Jin yell from across the ice.

“Im, look out!”

She pivoted on her heel, the gun aimed only to pause and stare into the eyes of Yoongi. The air left her lungs as their eyes met. Her gun trembled in her hand, trigger finger cramping. Lip quivering she looked upon the sight of her mentor.

“C-Captain?”

His eyes unfocused and blood dripping from his lips. He hissed trying to swipe at her. Imogene stepped back. 

“Capt–Yoongi, it’s me, Imogene. Please.”

The snarl dropped from his face as his head dipped in recognition. She choked back a sob, lowering her gun. “Y-You see me?”

Jin could see the scene unfolding as horror caught on his face, he pushed through the hoard trying to reach her. “Imogene! No! Stay away!”

Imogene looked up at Jin just as Yoongi blinked his eyes. He let out an animalistic hiss and lunged forward at Imogene. She yelled as his hands grabbed at her front, yanking her towards him. She clawed at him trying to pull him off screaming. His mouth opened and he bit into her neck cutting off her sounds, bones crunching as blood spurted on her and to the ice.

“Imogene!!!!”

~~~

Jin paced around the apartment muttering to himself. Imogene bounced her leg, distracted, but keeping an eye at the window for any sudden moves. Night was approaching slowly and they had yet to think of a plan. The minutes ticked by and Taehyung had made it clear about his demands. Who knew what twisted plan he had in store for Jungkook and Namjoon? The thought made a chill run down her spine. She remembered the look he had when she and Jin went to his office. She could sense he wasn’t all there then, what could have possibly happened over the past few months for his mind to crack. 

She watched as Jin kept to himself in the apartment. It worried her. Even Sasha sensed the unrest. She tried but failed to get any attention from Jin, following him around the apartment, whining at his heels.

“Sasha,” Imogene called from the couch. Sasha’s ears perked as she whined, but hopped over to Imogene on the couch laying in her lap with a whimper.

“I know. I know. He’ll be fine. It’s okay,” she whispered, stroking the little dog to calm her. Imogene bit down on her thumbnail deep in thought. Something had to be done. How were they going to get past them? She remembered something from the last time she went out to get supplies.

“Jin!”

Imogene stood up so fast, Sasha tumbled off her lap with a bark. Imogene yelped, checking on the dog before seeing Jin had stopped in his tracks.

“What?”

“There’s something I forgot to mention from when I went out on that run,” she replied.

Jin’s lips pursed tight, but he gestured for her to continue. At least he was open to hearing what she had to say.

“Okay so when I went into that store to get supplies, I came across a few of those things hiding in a backroom,” she explained.

“Right. They hide during the day time. That’s nothing new,” Jin countered.

Imogene rolled her eyes as she took her turn to pace. “It was strange. They go into this comatose-like state until it becomes dark. Of course, the weather is a major factor as well. Remember it was warmer than usual yesterday morning. But they didn’t move until I cut myself.”

“Meaning?”

Imogene sighed in exasperation. “For someone so smart, you’re an idiot. Jin, they’re attracted to the smell of blood!”

His brows knitted skeptically as he mulled it over. It made sense. They attacked Yoongi first at the lab when they tried to escape. And Abby lunged at Namjoon and Jin due to their open wounds. What could this mean?

“Okay,” he began, “let’s say they are attracted to blood...it is possible to lead them all with the scent.”

Imogene nodded. “I think so. You and Namjoon said it perfectly. These creatures only retained basic needs: finding food and eating.”

Jin leaned against the couch as Sasha snuggled into his lap. “There are so many factors to think over. Do we even know how many are out there? How do we get them together? This is going to take a lot of manpower. Plus we’re down two people.”

Imogene tapped her chin. “There’s got to be some other law enforcement hiding around. If we can get to a CB radio, I can make an SOS call.”

Jin’s eyes widened. “There’s one at Bangtan LabCorp in the security offices.”

“Fuck,” she muttered. Glancing at Jin, she sighed deeply. “Not the best scenario. The one at the police station was destroyed and I’m positive the other places too.”

“It’s a chance we’ll have to take,” he said, placing his hand on her shoulder. 

The warmth of his fingers made the worry lift slightly, but would it be enough? Imogene stood looking as if she came to terms with their situation. “Okay. We go into Bangtan LabCorp guns blazing and rescue Namjoon and Jungkook.”

“Looks that way,” he said with a short chuckle.

“Fine. We leave in ten minutes,” she instructed, walking out the living room to get ready.

---

After deciding to leave his apartment by way of the fire escape, Jin found a car still able to run and they piled in to drive to Bangtan LabCorp. He thought taking the longer route would keep Taehyung and whoever he worked for from suspecting them. They drove in silence, each in their thoughts. Jin glanced at Imogene every so often, wondering what was going through her mind. Besides the random hook up, she kept to herself. He still hadn’t brought up Yoongi or even her behavior from the early morning. It seemed so out of place, but yet not really. He remembered the time she pretty much offered herself to him at that bar. Sure, he enjoyed it, but where was Imogene’s headspace?

“How are you?” he asked.

Imogene pulled her eyes away from the window and turned to Jin. “What do you mean?”

He had to be careful with how he worded the next few sentences. Imogene could easily take it the wrong way and then he’d be on her bad side. He saw enough of her and Jungkook’s interaction to know the slightest wrong turn could set her off.

“Well,” he began. “You haven’t mentioned your boss since the accident.”

The air became tense as it grew heavy between them. Imogene sucked in a sharp breath, picking at the skin around her thumb. “Why would I bring him up?”

Jin gave her a quick glance before going back to the road. The confusion was clear on his face. “Wha– Jungkook told me Yoongi meant a lot to you.”

A scowl began to form on her face making Jin grip the steering wheel. “What does that have to do with anything?”

He was going to regret this, but she needed to hear it, especially someone looking outside the situation. “You like to avoid things and get on the defensive.”

“Meaning?”

He winced at the harshness of her tone. “Um–”

“Please enlighten me Jin since you seem so obsessed with my life all of a sudden,” she barked.

“Forget I said anything,” he mumbled.

“Bullshit. Obviously, you felt the need to say something. Speak your mind,” she said with a snarl.

Jin exhaled as he found a place off the road to park. The last thing they needed was an accident if she decided to hit him. He parked the car and turned off the ignition.

“Why’d you have sex with me?”

Imogene crossed her arms over her chest with a huff. That was what he wanted to ask? She rolled her eyes. “That’s a dumb question.”

“Why is it dumb?”

She rubbed her forehead as a headache formed. “You’re a male. I’d like to think a woman offering you free pussy would be right up your alley.”

Jin nearly choked at the words. He sent her a strange expression looking almost hurt. “You think I’m that type of guy?”

“Aren’t all of you like that?”

Jin let out a sigh shaking his head. “No,” his voice lowered as he started the car back up. “Not all of us are like that Imogene. I’m just worried about how you’ve processed everything. It’s unhealthy.”

“What? Are you my therapist now? I have one thanks, didn’t need another one,” she hissed.

“I was only–”

“Only what?! Being concerned. Want me to use your shoulder to cry on?! Fuck that! I’ve already been disappointed in my life enough to last me a lifetime. I don’t need you trying to sympathize with me. I refuse to be a victim!”

By this point hot, angry tears cascaded down her face. Imogene hadn’t realized she’d been crying until Jin handed her a handkerchief. She snatched it away from him as her sobs grew louder. It seemed as if a knot unraveled in the complicated emotions the young detective felt. Everything came crashing down all at once. And she didn’t know how to deal with it. Imogene didn’t even protest as Jin pulled her against his jacket as she buried her head in it letting his cologne engulf her thoughts.

[Imogene tapped her shoe against the glass table staring at Dr. Park. Yet again, Jimin was dressed, unlike any therapist she’d met. Decked in leather pants, an oversized sweater, and boots, this blasted man belonged on a runway. His hair was now a shade of coral pink. 

Again, he titled his head at her, that same playful smirk on his face from before. He tapped his pen on his legal pad, matching Imogene’s rhythm. She stopped and he did the same. Jimin chuckled softly.

“How are you doing today Detective?”

She shrugged, studying her nails. “No complaints. My physical therapy is going okay. I can move my shoulder without any stiffness now.”

“That’s good,” he answered. After a quick glance at his notes, he cleared his throat. “I want to talk about your family.”

Imogene groaned looking up at the ceiling. “Why did I have a feeling you wanted to bring that up?”

“We’ll sum it up to intuition, however, I want to delve into this because it seems it’s a big part of why you tend to be reckless.”

“I told you before. I’m not reckless,” she argued.

“Keep telling yourself that,” he bit back.

Imogene scoffed as she glared at him with distaste. “There’s nothing much to tell.”

“Try me,” he said, settling into his chair, leg placed casually across the other.

Imogene let out a long sigh shaking her head. “My mother was like any normal mom, she worked at a bank but quit after she had me. My father was a detective and like most guys back then, stayed gone most of the time. He was in the homicide division.”

“What is the reason you joined?”

Imogene bit down on her thumbnail. “I did it to be spiteful. He didn’t want me to join the force. Thought I should have done something more ‘feminine’.”

“That must have made you upset,” he mused.

“Mad wasn’t the start of it. When I went through the academy, he refused to speak to me. He’d only talk to me through my mother.” She let out a heavy exhale. “He...he didn’t even come to my graduation. I think he was ashamed, but it only made me angrier. So I acted out.”

Imogene bounced her knees debating on continuing. Saying these things out loud made it real. Too real to deal with, but she carried on. “I decided that I’d show everyone I wasn’t some weak woman. I’d go out with the guys, drink them under the table, pick up random guys in bars all the time. It wasn’t until I woke up one morning in a stranger’s bed with puke caked on my face that I knew I had to change, but I didn’t. Sure I calmed a bit, but I still enjoy a drink or two. Just the other night I tried to take this guy home with me.”

Jimin remained quiet waiting to see if she continued to talk, but Imogene looked like all the energy had seeped from her body. He made the decision to test the waters. “Why do you think you have this rage towards your father?”

“Hell if I know. Sure, he wasn’t home when I wanted him to be and he neglected my career choice, but I never held it against him.”

“Don’t you think your actions were how you coped? This destructive behavior is what got you injured.”

“I–”

“I’m not finished,” Jimin said curtly. “I don’t want to lecture you as I’m not your parent, but as your therapist, I must say that this is only going to destroy you and any relationships you hope you have. Stop looking for ways to distract from your hurt and fight it head-on.”]

She didn’t know how much time passed before she forced herself off Jin’s shoulder. The tears soaked into his jacket making her chuckle softly.

“Sorry for getting your jacket wet.”

He shrugged, reaching over to squeeze her hand. Surprisingly, she didn’t pull away. “It’s fine. You needed to let it all out.”

Imogene wiped her face with a sniff. “I’ve been holding in a lot of anger over the past few years. Stuff in my life that was my fault, but some things I never got to get closure on.”

Jin nodded in understanding. “Overall, we’re two fucked up people who found each other.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “Seems that way,” she cracked a smile at him. “Thank you.”

He gave her a reassuring smile as he continued driving down the street. It seemed a veil lifted and now Imogene’s head was clearer. She could focus now on getting their friends back.

---

Jin swiped the security guard’s card letting him into the back door of the laboratory. He glanced back at Imogene as followed from the rear, gun ready. 

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves Imogene. I don’t want to alert Tae of our presence.”

Her lips pressed together staring at him. “Whose idea was it to knock the guard out?”

“Yours.”

“Mine.”

He rolled his eyes. “Alright. Alright. I see your point.”

“As you should,” she looked around the corridor listening for any sounds. “Where do you think he’s holding Jungkook and Namjoon?”

“Once we reach the security offices, we’ll have a better idea,” he answered.

“How far are we from the offices?” she began to walk out from behind the corner, only to have him pull her back.

“Next floor up,” he whispered, pointing to a few people walking by. “We need to be cautious. The slightest clue could give us away.”

He led her to the stairway, taking them two at a time. It wasn’t long before they reached the security office corridor. Jin peeked from the door and swore. A few guards hung around chatting. 

“We may be outnumbered,” he stated.

“How many?” she asked.

“Four.”

“Just four? Easy.”

Jin snorted giving her an uncertain look. “Remember how easily you got taken out by that guy.”

She flipped him off rolling her eyes. “For your information, he fought dirty and shot me in the chest. I would have won.”

“Yeah, sure. Okay.”

“I’m gonna kick your ass when this is all over,” she hissed.

Jin winked towards her with a smile. “Fine with me.” His face turned serious as he looked out the door. “Alright, on my count we go at them. Okay?”

“Uh-huh.”

He twisted the doorknob as Imogene rolled a tear gas canister out as the smoke poured into the hallway. Imogene and Jin slipped on the riot gear she snagged from the station, covering their nose and eyes with a mask and protective glasses.

She ran at the guards as they coughed trying to see in the gas-filled area. She kicked one to the ground, incapacitating him by knocking the weapon from his hand and putting him in a sleeper hold. Jin almost got distracted by how Imogene was able to take the guard out, getting almost aroused by it. He shook his head as he knocked another guard with the fire extinguisher from the wall. 

The last guard coughed as he swung his gun around. “C’mon bastards! Try me!”

He shot into the smoked hallway with Imogene ducking as Jin was clipped in the arm by the bullet. He hit the ground with a grunt. 

Imogene crept up behind the guard using her elbow to hit the back of his neck. He groaned letting his gun drop and she kicked it away. He tried to kick her feet out from under her, but she dodged the attack, aiming her fist for his gut. He caught a second wind slamming his fist into her side, making her jerk away. Imogene coughed as she leaned against the wall. The security guard growled wrapping his hands around her throat and squeezed.

“Stupid bitch,” he spat.

She clawed at his hands, trying to get back her stance, but his grip was too strong. Her air supply was shrinking as spots covered her vision. Imogene felt herself grow weak until his hands were removed from her throat. Her eyes fluttered open as she watched Jin put him in a chokehold, teeth grit as the man struggled in the doctor’s grasp. Jin didn’t know his own strength as suddenly a crack was heard in the hallway and the security guard slumped forward, the fight out of him. Jin dropped him stepping back as he trembled. 

“I-I killed him.”

Imogene rubbed her throat feeling the sting of the marks. “T-To save me.”

She squeezed his hand as he felt the calmness settle between them. He returned the squeeze as he slipped the keycard out and swiped it to get entry into the office. Imogene grabbed one of the radios from one of the guards and followed him into the room. Jin dropped into one of the chairs and rolled up to the monitors. He began typing at the keyboard searching for any sign of Namjoon, Jungkook, and Taehyung. Imogene finally noticed the blood dripping to the floor and grabbed some paper towels putting pressure on his arm. 

“Looks like it just clipped up,” she said assessing his wound.

“Hurts like hell,” he said, wincing.

“Yes, bullets hurt,” she explained with a brow raise.

Jin smirked, turning to look at her. “You lucky I like you.”

Now it was her turn to be flustered. She coughed looking at the monitors. “You see them?”

Jin clicked the mouse bringing up more security footage. “We have over a thousand cameras around this place. I don’t know where he’d hide them.”

Imogene gasped as she shook Jin causing him to cry out from her hitting his injury. “Sorry,” she said hastily as she pointed to a corner screen. “That looks like them! Where is that located?”

Jin knitted his brows as he searched for that particular camera and zoomed in. “That’s one of the labs we use for product testing with pharmaceutical drugs.”

“Is it near the lab we were in last time?”

Jin’s head bobbed. “About a few floors up. Taehyung probably had that lab resealed.”

A twinkle formed Imogene’s eye. “Do you have access to those labs?”

“Possibly.”

“I might have an idea for a diversion.”

---

They walked out of the room, their plan somewhat together. Hopefully, their tactic would work. Jin pulled her to the wall with a nod. It was almost time for them to split up. Before they came to the hallway that forked into two corridors, Jin grabbed her hand. “Be careful, Imogene. I’m serious. I was able to control some of the cameras to give us blind spots, but only for a few minutes at a time. So let’s make this quick.”

“No promises,” she said with a lopsided smile. 

Jin couldn’t help but return the smile. “If this works, once we get to them, high tail it out of here. We only get one shot to do this.”

Imogene opened her mouth to protest only to have Jin give her a look that stopped her in her tracks. She closed her mouth waiting for him to speak, even if she wanted to argue back. “I’m serious. All that matters is getting them and yourself out.”

A heavy huff slipped from her lips, but she gave a curt nod. “Fine.”

His eyes softened as he ran his thumb on her cheek delicately. “Please. Just promise me.”

Imogene felt herself lean into his touch instinctively. It was strange. The level of intimacy between them had been physical up until that point, but she found the walls she put up crumbling the more time she spent with him. What he did next almost made her knees buckle. He leaned forward, lifting her chin to press his lips to hers. The kiss was simple, light, chaste. As he dragged away reluctantly, she felt her body pull to his. She looked up at him through her eyelashes. The questions and confusion on her face. Jin merely smirked and squeezed her side.

There would be time to discuss it later. With one last hand squeeze, they parted ways: her to the testing rooms and Jin towards the lower level laboratories. Imogene crept down the corridor being mindful of anything suspicious. Nothing so far, and that's what made her nervous. No signs of life since their run-in with the security guards. Either Taehyung wasn’t here or it was a trap. She could only trek further down, despite the gut-wrenching feeling in her stomach. 

In no time she reached the testing area like Jin said. From the security footage, Jungkook and Namjoon were being held in one of the middle rooms. Not the best scenario for an escape, but with Imogene and his plan, things would work out well.

She took the keycard she stole from one of the guards and swiped it. The green light appeared and she slipped inside the darkened room. Namjoon and Jungkook were tied to chairs facing away from each other and blindfolded. She could see the physical signs of assault on their faces. Bruises and cuts littered their skin. She reached them and knelt down in front of Jungkook. 

“Kook,” she whispered.

His head lifted from the familiar sound. “Im?” His voice hoarse with a lack of moisture and exhaustion.

“Yeah. It’s me,” she whispered, busying herself with removing his restraints. “How are you?”

“Ribs might be cracked. I’ll live. I’m worried about Namjoon though. They were rougher on him than me.”

 After Jungkook was freed, he helped her with Namjoon. The botanist was dazed, most likely had a concussion. 

“Joon? Joon, can you hear me,” she asked, looking for any signs of disorientation. 

He blinked slowly as his eyes came into focus due to the blindfold. “I-Imogene?”

“Yes? Can you walk?”

“I don’t know.”

“Kook, help him out of the chair.”

Jungkook wrapped Namjoon’s arm around his shoulder and lifted him up. Imogene peered out the door. Still nothing. She motioned for them to follow her down the hall. Jungkook moved slower due to Namjoon’s weight but tried to keep up with Imogene.

“Where’s Jin?”

“Going to the labs,” she answered, looking around for the stairwell Jin told her about. Jungkook raised his eyebrows.

“The very same lab we were locked in? Is he insane”?

“Just trust us. It will be fine,” Imogene said.

“Are you sure about that detective?”

The blood in her veins ran cold as she and Jungkook paused. She turned around to see Taehyung standing there with men decked in military-grade uniforms and guns pointed directly at them. Namjoon groaned against Jungkook’s shoulder. Imogene narrowed her eyes towards Taehyung with a snarl.

“So you decided to finally show up?”

He shrugged. “I’ve always had a flair for the dramatics.” He glanced around at the group. “Where’s my lovely brother? We still haven’t been able to locate him inside the facility. You both did a number on my security guards. Didn’t think you had it in you to kill a few.”

“Weren’t much of a threat,” she spat back.

Taehyung stepped closer to her, grabbing her by her chin and forcing her to look up at him. “It’s a shame I’m going to have to kill you. I would have loved getting you in bed with me.”

Imogene’s eyes hardened as she shoved him away with a hiss. “What even makes you think I’d ever humor giving any time of day?”

Taehyung shrugged. “I prefer my brother’s sloppy seconds.”

She tried to lunge at him as a guard jumped in front grabbing her. Jungkook tried to help only to have another guy smack him in the gut with the end of his rifle. Jungkook howled in pain as he doubled over making Namjoon slipped from his hold. He wobbled as he leaned against the wall.

“Fuck you Taehyung! Instead of helping us, you’re only making this worse!”

“It’s just business, Namjoon,” he stated simply. Snapping his fingers, he looked at his detail. “Get them up and take them to the main floor.”

---

Imogene, Jungkook, and Namjoon sat kneeling on the hard marble floor. Wrists bound, they struggled unable to break the zip ties. Each had a guard standing behind them with a rifle aimed at their heads.

“If they so much as sneeze, shoot,” he instructed.

Taehyung paced back and forth holding a radio in his hand. He turned to Imogene stepping up to her. “I’m going to only ask you this once. Where is Seokjin? I know he’s in here somewhere.”

Imogene shrugged. “Wouldn’t have the slightest idea.”

He took the back of his hand and struck her across the face. Imogene reeled from the force almost making her collapse to the floor. She grunted as she spit out the blood from her mouth. “You hit like a little bitch.”

Taehyung went to hit her again but stopped. “You ain't worth my energy,” he sneered. A sickly smirk appeared on his face as he looked from Jungkook to Namjoon.

“Maybe I need to make an example.” He held his hand out. “Give me a gun.”

One of the guards placed a gun in his hand. Taehyung cocked the release back and pointed it between Jungkook’s eyes.

“Tell me where Jin is or I shoot.”

Imogene became fearful as she saw the madness in Taehyung’s eyes. Jungkook gulped softly. “Im, it’s okay. Don’t tell him what he wants. I promise it’s okay.”

“Kook, I can’t lose you,” she pleaded. 

Her partner cast a glance at her giving her a reassuring smile. “Love you, Im.”

Taehyung rolled his eyes. “Fine. Have it your way.”

Just as he was about to pull the trigger, the speakers in the room crinkled to life. “Put the gun down, Tae.”

Taehyung looked around waving the gun wildly.

“Where the fuck are you?”

“It would be smart if you let them go now.”

Taehyung sneered as he motioned the men to branch out in search of Jin. “I don’t think so. Why give up my trump cards?”

“You always played dirty. You’ll pay for laying a hand on Imogene.”

Taehyung let out a harsh laugh, going up to Imogene and running a hand down her throat. She jerked away avoiding his touch the best she could. He chuckled, forcing her to make eye contact with him. “You won’t do anything. Just like with Hani. I can already tell you and the detective fucked. It’s my turn to find out how sweet she tastes.”

Imogene broke from the ziplines using the knife she hid, and press it on Taehyung’s jugular. “Try me, I dare you.”

Jungkook stood, freed of his confines with Namjoon as they pointed guns at him. “For someone who claims to be so confident, you didn’t check us for weapons. Bad on your part.”

Namjoon limped up and whacked Taehyung in the nose with the butt of the gun. “Bastard,” he spat. 

Taehyung yelled in pain as his nose began to spurt blood. Jungkook gave a warning shot to the guards with a growl. “Drop the weapons, now.”

An all-out shootout began as the team jumped behind one of the desks as bullets ricocheted into the lobby.

“Careful you idiots! Don’t hit the glass!” Taehyung pinched his nose as he tried to shoot at them. Imogene looked up at the speaker with a scowl. 

“Now would be a good time for the next part of our plan Jin!”

Suddenly the siren alarms began to blare over the speakers. A red light went off, almost plunging the lobby into complete darkness. Namjoon looked around bewildered. 

“W-What’s going on?”

Imogene checked the amount of ammo she had left and glanced towards the entrance. “On my mark. We run. Just shoot and run. Save your bullets,” she whispered.

Jungkook gave her a curt nod. “Whatever you had planned, better work.”

“It will.”

Jin's voice crinkled over the speaker once more, the amusement in his voice. “Hope you have enough bullets brother.”

The bell from the elevators chimed and guttural moans and hisses cut in the dark. Namjoon gripped his gun tight.

“Shit.”

The next thing they know, the creatures came running out screeching to attack. Imogene stood clipping one between the eyes. “Now! Make a path to the door.” 

Jungkook knocked a few trying to surround them as they ran for the doors. Namjoon shot wildly trying to hit as many as he could. Taehyung and his men forgot about the team as they tried to focus on the creatures trying to have them for their next meal. 

Imogene fought through the hoard as they made their way to the doors.

C'mon Jin. Where are you?

As if he heard her, a large truck pulled up to the front. Imogene pointed to it looking over her shoulder at Namjoon and Jungkook. “Head for that truck!”

Namjoon sprinted, ignoring the pain in his leg as he threw open the double doors to the truck. Jungkook wasn’t far behind. Imogene came up the rear just as a bullet ripped into her shoulder. She crashed to the floor with a grunt. Taehyung grabbed at her trying to shake her.

“You bitch, you did this!”

She took the heel of her palm and slammed it into Taehyung’s nose as he yowled. “You killed all those people you asshole. You’re only getting what you deserved!”

She kicked him off her as he fell near the creatures. Taehyung was quickly taken over as the hoard went for him as the blood attracted them to him. He searched for his gun frantically as he watched his men get torn to shreds. One scratched at his arm as another bit into his leg. Hot tears streaked his face as he struggled to get out of their grasp but it was too late. 

His screams pierced the air as he was eaten alive by the hoard. Imogene stood clutched her wound, backing away as the creatures feasted on Taehyung. One sniffed the air and made eye contact with her and let out a screech.

“Fuck!” 

She turned and ran out the door as their attention turned to her. Jungkook snatched up by the hand yanking her into the truck as Jin pulled off with the tires screeching. The hoards began chasing them down the street. Jungkook put a cloth on her gunshot wound to stop the bleeding as Imogene shot Jin a sour look.

“Took you long enough!”

Jin cut his eyes to her before returning to the road. “Listen, I had a run-in with those things too. I almost got bit!”

She rolled her eyes. “Excuses.” She clenched her teeth as her shoulder throbbed. She glanced over the car seat. “Is that it all?”

He nodded, still keeping a fair distance between them and the hoard. “You were going to be a shooter, but you’re injured. Have Jungkook do it.”

Namjoon rested against the window. “Wait, what do you both have planned?”

“You’ll see.” Imogene took over holding the cloth to her shoulder. “Kook, your job is to throw those blood bags out the back of the truck and shoot them open. We need to keep those things chasing us.”

Jungkook hummed in understanding as he jumped to the back of the truck. “I don’t want to waste bullets though. We may need them for later.” He rummaged through the large bag full of weapons he compiled from the station. “I’ll use an arrow from the crossbow.”

Namjoon looked up bewildered as he joined Jungkook. “Why the hell do you have a crossbow?”

“This is from my own collection. Never know when you’ll need it,” he answered.

Namjoon shook his head in disbelief as he grabbed some of the blood bags. “Jin we’re ready when you are!”

Jin pressed a button, opening the truck bed. The lid slid open slowly as they got a look at the hoards still chasing them. Imogene twisted in her seat. “Just throw a bag every couple feet. They need to follow the scent!”

Jungkook pierced the first bag and chucked it out of the truck. It splattered on the ground as the hoards pressed on. Namjoon threw another as they seemed to pick up speed.

“Um Jin,” Namjoon said holding on to a strap to keep from toppling over.

“Yeah Joon?”

“Speed the fuck up!”

“They’re gaining speed!”

Jungkook threw more bags as a trail of blood seeped from the trunk. One particular zombie was almost able to grip the truck bumper to jump in.

“Holy shit!” Jungkook kicked it in the face as it clambered on to fall moments later. “I-I think we got their attention! Are we almost there?!”

“A few more miles!”

Jin shifted gears as they sped up, the sight of the Banpo Bridge loomed on the horizon. Imogene gripped Jin’s arm as they reached the river’s edge. 

“Get out and grab whatever weapons you need!”

They scrambled out, the sounds of the hoard not too far behind. Namjoon grabbed his side as he held one of the handguns. “Where are we going?”

Jin pointed out on the ice. “There.”

Jungkook’s eyes widened like a deer in headlights. “Are you out of your mind? Is that going to hold us all?”

Imogene sniffed as the air grew colder. “It’s our only chance of surviving this.”

Jin helped her over the guardrail as they descended the slope being mindful of the ice. The wind blew harshly as the snow began to pick up causing a flurry. 

Jungkook wrapped his coat tighter around his body. “Fighting in a snowstorm?”

“Better than nothing,” Imogene snapped, trying to ignore the sting from her wound. They stood backs to each other in a circle, guns, and weapons ready to fight.

I hope this works.

Jin pulled a few flares out, lighting them and putting them around them. “Don’t start to shoot until they are on the ice.” He gave them all looks of understanding. “We kill them all or take some with us.”

They all muttered in unison staring into the darkness past the flares.

Hisses and growls grew louder as the hoard tumbled down towards the river.  They darted across the ice ready to make meals out of the group. 

Jungkook gave off the first shot and the carnage began. Each began shooting and dodging the zombies outreached arms, making the group break apart. Imogene kicked one down, shooting in between the eyes as one tried to jump on her back. She sidestepped letting it lose its footing and she shot it once before going to another. 

Jin swiped the flare at the ones surrounding him keeping them at bay. They hissed trying to get at him as he shot at him. Jungkook was to his left throwing off a few using his combat moves. He ran over to assist Namjoon as they fought against them.

Imogene felt the fatigue set in. Between the blood loss and exhaustion, she could barely keep up. Her muscles screamed in protest. There were still too many of them.

“Imogene!”

She turned towards the sound of Jin’s voice as the wind picked up, surrounding them in a swirl of flurries. She coughed looking around. She lost track of Jungkook and Namjoon. It seemed like she was on her own.

Please be safe

She cocked her gun at the onslaught of the undead. With the wind blowing hard, she wasn’t sure if she was hitting any targets.

“Aim for the heads!” She roared over the wind. 

They just kept coming at them. It seemed never ending. Imogene lost track of how many times she reloaded her gun. Behind cold clotting them in the face, or kicking some back, she knew she couldn’t give up. After fighting off two particular stubborn zombies, she heard Jungkook yell from across the ice.

“Im, look out!”

She pivoted on her heel, the gun aimed only to pause and stare into the eyes of Yoongi. The air left her lungs as their eyes met. Her gun trembled in her hand, trigger finger cramping. Lip quivering she looked upon the sight of her mentor.

“C-Captain?”

His eyes unfocused and blood dripping from his lips. He hissed trying to swipe at her. Imogene stepped back. 

“Capt–Yoongi, it’s me, Imogene. Please.”

The snarl dropped from his face as his head dipped in recognition. She choked back a sob, lowering her gun. “Y-You see me?”

Jin could see the scene unfolding as horror caught on his face, he pushed through the hoard trying to reach her. “Imogene! No! Stay away!”

Imogene looked up at Jin just as Yoongi blinked his eyes. He let out an animalistic hiss and lunged forward at Imogene. She yelled as his hands grabbed at her front, yanking her towards him. She clawed at him trying to pull him off screaming. His mouth opened and he bit into her neck cutting off her sounds, bones crunching as blood spurted on her and to the ice.

“Imogene!!!!”

~~~

Imogene struggled as she tried to push off Yoongi. Her strength was depleting little by little. Tears mixed with the sweat as she tried with all her might to break free. Jungkook and Namjoon ran over to Jin trying to get to Imogene. Jin felt a crack under the ice.

Of course!

“Shoot the ice!”

Namjoon and Jungkook shot at the ice, hardly making a dent.

“It’s too thick!”

“We gotta keep trying! Keep shooting!”

Namjoon stood still aiming at the hoard. “I’ll cover you!” He was quickly overtaken being bitten on his leg by one. He fell to the ground and the hoard covered him. Jin narrowly avoided being bitten until one jumped onto his back, biting his shoulder. He yelled pushing it away as it scrambled to eat more.

One particular big zombie charged onto the ice at them. It seemed as if time slowed down. Jungkook pushed Jin out the way as the zombie bit into his arm. He cried out taking the zombie over his shoulder and throwing him into the ground with all his might. The force broke the ice and everyone in the vicinity fell into the water. Darkness engulfed them all as their bodies sank deeper into the river.

Jin felt weightless as his eyes opened underwater. He could see the parasites scrambling from his wounds. With a gargled shout, he swam up. His lungs nearly gave out as he breached the surface. He gripped the ice and hoisted himself up.

Shivering he looked around. “Namjoon! Jungkook! Imogene!”

Bubbles covered the top of the water as Namjoon and Jungkook emerged, each holding onto one of Imogene’s arms. Jin ran over to assist them pulling them all out of the water. Each shivering and coughing. Imogene held onto Jin as her teeth chattered.

“You bastard, we did it.”

Jin let out a breathy sigh, resting his head on her shoulder. “Fuck, it actually worked.”

Namjoon rested against Jungkook with a loud sigh. “You saved us Jin. Thank you.”

Jungkook held up a thumbs-up sign as he closed his eyes.

“I never wanna do that again.”

They all let out a laugh, resting on the bank.

The faint sound of helicopter blades loomed overhead. “This is the KNP! Please identify yourselves!”

She and Jungkook waved their badges in the air as the light flashed on them. Imogene looked up with the faintest scowl. “Took them long enough.”

---

The smell of coffee wafts through the apartment. Imogene let out a yawn as she pulled back the comforter and padded across the floor towards the kitchen. Sasha saw the door open and jumped off the couch to greet her. Imogene smiled as she reached down to scratch the puppy behind her ears.

“Good morning Sasha.”

Strong arms wrapped around her waist pulling her against his frame. She melted into the touch as his lips found their way to the back of her neck. Imogene turned facing him with a smirk.

“That’s certainly a better greeting,” she said kissing his lips. “Good morning to you too, Dr. Kim.”

Jin's eyes crinkled from his smile. “Sleep well?”

“Mhmm.” She toyed with his tie for a moment. “You meet with the board members today?”

Jin sighed with a nod. “After the mess Taehyung made, there’s been some damage control.”

Their faces darkened at the thoughts from the past few months. Imogene reached for the scar covering her neck and shoulder instinctively. Sure they recovered physically, but there would always be that fear. Waking up into another nightmare. She went over to the television and turned it on. Sasha planted herself in her lap as the news came on. The newscaster cleared her throat as she glanced down at the tablet.

“Sources say that the virus has been put under control and vaccines will be available after trials finish. The mystery of the water supply has yet to be explained, but Bangtan LabCorp and the government are working closely together to come up with precautions to avoid another pandemic–”

Imogene muted the news with a frown. “So they’re covering everything up? And using a pandemic as the excuse.”

“Yeah. I know, I’m not happy either, because it rewrites all the things we’ve done.”

He knelt in front of Imogene squeezing her hands. “I refuse for Yoongi’s death to be in vain. Me and Namjoon are still working on a cure. I want to avoid this from happening ever again.”

Imogene leaned forward kissing his forehead before pressing hers to it. “Thank you, Jin.”

He caressed her cheek as Sasha looked up and barked at him. They laughed as he petted her head. “No Sasha, you’re always my special number one girl.”

Jin gave Imogene a quick peck on the lips as he straightened up. “I’m going to be late. You have to go in today?”

She nodded as Sasha jumped off her lap. “Yeah still got a lot to clean with the force. I might be home late.”

Jin grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him. “I’ll wait up.”

“You better,” she teased, kissing him again. 

---

Jin rubbed his eyes as he stared around the table. These men made him sick, but they held the cards for the moment. Yes now he was the CEO of Bangtan LabCorp, but it made him feel icky. He wanted nothing more than to destroy the legacy of the facility, but it had resources. Ones he could use for good. Spring was making way for summer and he had yet to find a cure. 

With a sigh, he paced the boardroom testing the words in his mouth.

“How has the recovery been from the bodies in the lake?”

“Everyone has been retrieved and burned,” one stated looking over the papers.

Jin nodded curtly. “There cannot be any traces of the flower. It must all be destroyed. By any means necessary. Keep me posted. I will continue my research and get back to you.” 

They adjourned as Jin walked into his office. With a groan, he loosened his tie just as his phone chimed. Namjoon’s face appeared on the screen wanting to Facetime him. He slid his finger across the green button as his face appeared for Namjoon to see.

The botanist waved from what looked like a park bench. Dahyun appeared in the frame waving with a grin. Jin chuckled and waved back. 

“Hi, Seokjin! Hope you and Imogene are well.”

“Babe, don’t hog the screen I need to talk to Jin. Go grab some ice cream,” he suggested. 

She pouted but got up. “I better see you two here soon! I mean it!”

“We will. I promise Dahyun,” Jin said, crossing his heart.

She disappeared from the frame as Namjoon’s face returned with a deep sigh. “It's a miracle she was away when everything happened.”

“Have you told her anything?”

“Just parts. I don’t want to scare her.”

“That’s smart,” Jin answered. He paused before continuing. “How’s it on Jeju Island?”

“I went back to the falls and destroyed all traces of the plant,” he said, removing his glasses and rubbing the spot between his eyes. “I’ve kept a microscopic slide of the strain and a small plant sample to see about making a cure. Nothing so far.”

“That’s what I told the board members,” Jin replied.

Namjoon rolled his eyes. “They're still saying it was a water issue?”

“Yeah.”

“They really don’t want to give you credit for what you did,” Namjoon said bitterly.

“Correction, all of us played a part in this. I would have been screwed without you, Jungkook, and Imogene. We made it possible,” Jin corrected.

“Well, you saved my life more than once. Thank you, friend,” Namjoon said quietly.

“You’re family,” Jin said with a smile.

The younger male smiled wide as his dimples formed. Namjoon’s eyes looked off-screen and Jin could hear Dahyun approaching. He knew their call was coming to end. Jin smirked as he watched her hand Namjoon an ice cream and waved into the camera.

“I’ll let you both go to enjoy the day. Joon, I’ll send you an email sometime this week.”

Namjoon nodded with a small. “Great. Send Imogene and Jungkook my best.”

“Will do.”

They clicked off ending the call. Jin swiveled in his chair to look at the cityscape. Were they safe? While it had been awhile and no reports of any outbreaks had hit the news, something still ate at Jin’s subconscious.

---

Imogene dropped down into her chair groaning over the amount of paperwork that littered her desk. A knock came at the door and she signaled for Jungkook to enter. The fresh ink on his arm flexed as he placed another folder on the desk. He plopped down in the chair with a groan.

“How ya been?”

She gestured to the desk earning a laugh from him. “Not what I had in mind when they put me in as a temporary sergeant.”

“When did they say the new captain was joining?”

“Another week or so,” she answered, flipping through the papers.

“Why don’t you take the test? You’re qualified,” he chirped up.

Imogene shot him a look and rolled her eyes. “You know as well as I do that ain't happening. I’m a walking talking lawsuit. Remember?”

Jungkook shrugged. “Minus that, you showed nothing but heart and dedication from before,” his voice lowered, and leaned closer in his chair. “You saved my life, Park. If that’s not worth a promotion, I don't know what is.”

Imogene felt her cheeks warm and she let out a cough. “Yeah. Yeah. How’s the clean up going?”

“Slowly. There was a lot of damage to the city, but you know the big wigs are sweeping in under the rug.”

“Yeah, don’t remind me. Jin let me know.”

“How’s he doing? Are you both doing well?”

Jungkook saw a slight pink hue cover her face. She was definitely smitten with the doctor. “W-We’re fine. It’s weird ya know. I never saw myself as...domestic.”

Jungkook tilted his head back and laughed. “It’s certainly a surprise. Are you still seeing your therapist?”

“I plan to go some time this week. It’s a miracle he survived that whole outbreak. Got a call from him last week and we scheduled.” 

She stood grabbing her sunglasses. “C’mon I need lunch. This can wait until we get back. You’re helping me, too.” She poked his stomach earning him a whine.

“Only if you pay for my food,” he teased.

“Yeah. Sure. Whatever,” she stated with a smirk.

Jungkook followed her out as a thought came to mind. “Hey, were you able to find out about that person from the B&E from before?”

She shook her head. “No, why?”

Jungkook shrugged. “Nothing weird, but like I went back to that warehouse. Maybe there was some DNA left from before. I found some blood. Who knows? I sent it to the lab just in case.”

“Keep me posted,” she said as they got into his car.

---

Fingers tapped on the railing. Eyes darted to the lower level. With a smirk, the figure stepped down the stairs to check the progress. The purple flowers on the resurrection plant bloomed in the pots around. Smirking, they touched the leaves fondly before turning to the group of people toiling over making vials filled with purple liquid. One looked up from their progress to see the hooded figure standing them.

“Sir, I didn’t realize you were here.”

“I was able to slip away from the city. What’s the progress?”

“We were able to retrieve a plant from Jeju Island before they were destroyed. After splicing a piece of it, we've been able to create a hybrid plant.”

The man nodded in approval. “I want a full analysis of the results. Keep me posted,” he said walking away.

After walking a few steps, he pulled off his hood leaning against a window, looking out to the sunny city view.

“I promise to avenge your death Taehyung. It won’t be in vain. We’ll finish your legacy.” He glanced down at his phone fondly at the picture of him and Taehyung from their university years.

The phone rang as the name Park Imogene crossed the screen. With a sneer, he hit the button and answered.

“Yes? Oh yes, Detective. We’re still on for our appointment this week. See you then.”

Sleep did not come easily to Imogene. She tossed and turned on the couch, mumbling to herself while she slept. Visions of that woman taking two shots to the knee and not reacting left her confused and frightened–something she would never admit out loud. 

The sounds of Jin in the kitchen roused her awake. She sat up with a yawn, stretching her limbs after laying in a terrible position. Jungkook followed suit, sitting up from his place on the floor. Jin appeared in the doorway carrying a tray with three steaming mugs of coffee and plates of scrambled eggs and toast.

“Morning. Brought you some breakfast.”

Jungkook bounced up taking a cup and plate, beginning to eat. Imogene shook her head and took one from Jin. “Thank you. You didn’t need to do this.”

“Well you sort of saved my life last night,” Jin answered scratching his head. “After a night like that, we need something in our stomachs.”

Imogene hummed, picking at the eggs. The scene of the woman getting shot still on her mind. 

Jin sipped his coffee eyeing Imogene. The detective barely ate any of her breakfast, only taking small bites of the eggs and toast, taking little sips of the coffee. Maybe the incident bothered her a lot more than she let on. He’d bring it later on when they were alone. 

Jungkook sighed leaning against the couch, patting his stomach. “Thank you, Jin. Needed that.”

Jin nodded towards Jungkook and began clearing the plates. “What is the plan?”

Imogene and Jungkook gave each other a look. He sounded like he was going to tag along. Jungkook chuckled scratching his nose. “Well me and Im are going to go to the police station. Figure out what's going on.”

“I’m going with you,” Jin started carrying the dishes back into the kitchen. “So far nothing is being shown on the television so this could be an isolated incident, but I want to make sure.”

Fuck, he was right. He’d be a better use to them if he was with the two detectives. Imogene sat back thinking it over. Maybe they could go make a trip to Bangtan LabCorp as well. She was curious about what went on there.

“Kook?”

“Yeah?”

“How’s your ankle?”

Jungkook pulled his pant’s leg up assessing the injury. “A little swollen, but I think I’m good to walk on it.”

Jin sighed. “Alright. We’ll head out. I’ll leave a note for Abby just in case she stops by.”

Imogene stood as Jungkook let out a grunt getting up from the floor. “To the station, we go.”

---

The best word to describe the scene was chaos. Imogene and Jungkook walked in not knowing what to expect. A cold chill ran up her spine at the sight. It looked like a riot took over the station. Papers and desks laid askew across the room. The lights flickered overhead, giving the room an eerie vibe. Jungkook stepped over the debris, brows furrowed. “What the fuck?”

Imogene stopped Jin in his tracks from going further. Jin looked around as the panic set in. Where were the police? Jungkook pulled his gun from his hip holster. “I’ll check the holding cells. Stay here.”

Imogene searched around the room, muttering to herself. “Where is he? He should be here.”

Jin placed a hand on her shoulder as she froze. “Imogene?”

She cleared her throat trying to move the desks. “My captain isn’t here. Where is he?”

“Maybe he got out before anything happened,” Jin suggested.

Imogene shrugged her shoulder away from Jin and went towards Yoongi’s office. “We don’t know that.” As she pushed the door back, a yell came from the holding cells.

“Im! Get back here!”

Imogene ran to the cells, Jin hot on her heels. He slammed into her back as they stared at the sight. Blood coated the walls. Bodies laid inside the holding cells as some rattled against the bars. Jungkook held a hand to his mouth to combat the stench. The female detective felt oncoming bile in her throat as she stepped back. A few creatures reached out trying to grab at them from between the bars. Hissing and growling, blood and saliva oozed from their mouths. The sight alone almost made her vomit. The majority of the bodies were that of their squad torn to shreds. Jin looked in horror at the scene before his eyes.

“Seokjin!”

The screams stopped them in their tracks as Seokjin tugged Eunji off the road and behind a grove of trees. The sounds made the hairs on his neck rise. Carnage was the only word to describe the scene before them. People panicked, trying to run away from the hoard only to be massacred. The sounds of bones crunching and the smell of blood filled the air along with burnt flesh. Eunji covered her mouth, burying her face against Jin’s chest. He could feel her tears dampen his tunic as he held her. 

“Jin!”

“Jin!”

A slap connected across his face as he jerked in alertness. He winced holding the side of his cheek as Imogene glared at him.

“Now is not the time to daydream!”

Jin blinked a few times at her dumbfounded. “I-I-I’m sorry. I–”

Imogene exhaled, closing her eyes. She dropped her head down. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you.”

Jin squeezed her shoulder and inched toward the cell. Now that there was natural light, he got a good look at the creature...being...whatever they were. The man being restrained in the cell was covered in dried blood. The eye color was white, almost milky. As Jin moved, the man moved, hissing as he tried to reach for Jin with his hand. It reminded him of the woman at the train station.

 “We got to get to Bangtan,” he murmured.

Jungkook frowned, staring at him. “Why?”

“I’ll explain when we get there.”

Imogene looked from Jungkook to Jin. “It can’t hurt to see if anything is there.”

“Fine,” the male detective went over towards the gun cage. “I’m gonna load up. I don’t want any more surprises.”

Imogene nodded as she headed back into the main room. “Fine. Get enough for the two of us.”

“Hey scientist, come help,” Jungkook called, grabbing a bag.

Imogene continued her search for anything in the station that gave any clues to what happened the night before. A groan from Yoongi’s office made her pull her gun out. She stepped closer to the door, opening it a crack.

“Whose there? This is Park Imogene, detective of the KNP. I am armed, please reveal yourself, arms where I can see them.”

“P-Park,” a hoarse groan called out in the darkened room.

“Captain!” Imogene nearly dropped her gun as she ran into the room. Yoongi was under his desk, holding a towel to a gash on his head. She crouched to the floor, helping him from under the desk and propping him against the wall.

“Are you okay?”

Yoongi groaned as he sat back. “Barely. Got banged up pretty bad.” Imogene wrapped him up in a hug making him wince. She apologized as he waved her away. “It’s fine. Just look in that cabinet over there and bring out the bottle from inside.”

Imogene opened the cabinet and rummaged through the clutter. A frown painted her lips as she pulled out a half-empty bottle of whiskey. She turned to him in displeasure, bottle in hand.

“Do I need to ask?”

Yoongi growled, snatching the bottle away, unscrewing the top, and took a long swig. “None of your damn business.” When he looked back at her, his scowl faltered. He winced, trying to sit up from his position as Imogene helped him. “I was never drunk on the job,” he reassured her.

A little part of Imogene sighed in relief. She didn’t need another person in her life drinking theirs away. Yoongi placed a hand on Imogene and grunted softly.

“Im!”

Jungkook ran into the main room looking for her. Imogene turned waving in the doorway. “I’m in the Captain’s office!”

The young detective scrambled inside a relieved grin on his face. “Good to see you alive boss.”

Yoongi scoffed. “Whatever. Help an old man up.”

The partners snorted as they got him off the floor and sitting on his desk. “How bad are you hurt?”

Yoongi removed the towel from his head, relieved the bleeding had stopped. “Just this gash from the glass on the door. Those bastards are strong.”

Jin walked in carrying another bag. “Jungkook, here’s the other bag.”

Yoongi looked at him with a frown. “Who the hell are you?”

Jin chuckled nervously under the man’s scrutiny. “Dr. Kim Seokjin. I’m a scientist. I work at Bangtan LabCorp.”

Yoongi’s face twisted into a snarl as he jumped on Jin grabbing at his shirt. “You piece of shit!”

Jungkook pulled Yoongi back in shock. “Captain! Calm down!”

Jin jumped back in confusion. “I-I’m...sir…”

Yoongi breathed hard through his nose. “It’s his fucking fault everyone is dead here.”

Imogene frowned. “What do you mean?” She glanced at Jin. “What is he talking about?”

Jin brushed his hair off his face. “I-I honestly don’t know.”

Yoongi limped out of the office groaning in pain. “Let me enlighten you all then.” Yoongi escorted them into the other room where they reached a body on the floor laying facedown. Yoongi kicked it over and pointed. “Look at that wristband.”

Stamped on the wristband was Bangtan LabCorp in bold letters. Jin felt ice run through his veins. 

Taehyung lied. They had started human trials after all.

“Were there any more in here from the lab?”

Yoongi shook his head. “No. This was the one brought in from the train station.” He sighed looking around the room. “It was absolute chaos. People were being bitten and attacking others only moments later.”

Imogene scrunched her face up. “You mean this can be contracted through a bite?”

Jin gave a reluctant nod. “It happened at the train station. It seems it's passed through bodily fluids. We need to stay on guard.” He glanced at the law enforcers seriously. “I need to get to Bangtan LabCorp. We need more answers.”

Jungkook nodded as Imogene grabbed the other bag. Yoongi limped over with some effort. “I’ll be damned if I stay here. I’m coming with you all. It seems the only thing that puts these bastards down is a headshot. You’ll need me.”

“Then it’s settled. We’re heading to the lab,” Jin said.

---

What an unusual group. The drive to Bangtan LabCorp was in silence for the most part. They were definitely a ragtag bunch: a scientist, an injured police captain, a stubborn detective, and a detective that acted like he was in the middle of a video game. 

They reached their destination rather quickly, much to Jin’s surprise. The streets weren’t overly populated like usual. In fact, it felt quiet at this time of day. Less people than he was used to. Hardly any news covered the sudden illness that was sweeping the city. Besides a few ‘isolated’ animal attacks, the radio only mentioned it in passing. That meant only one thing: someone was covering it up. All thoughts lead to Taehyung and the board.

After parking, Jin pulled his keycard out and scanned it against the door. A red light flashed, making him frown. Jin muttered a curse, wiping his keycard and holding it up to the scanner. Thankfully a green button appeared this time and the door opened.

“Piece of shit. I told them to fix it.”

Yoongi limped in with a grunt. “Well, it works. Let's get this shit done.”

Jungkook helped Yoongi in as Imogene followed behind Jin. She looked around the lobby curiously. This place always looked intimidating from the outside and that was true for the interior. They spared no expense on the technology or design. Bangtan LabCorp was in a whole category in itself. Jin led them to the elevators.

“We’ll go down to my lab first,” he explained.

Imogene rested against the side of the elevator as it descended. “I think you were being modest about your career Jin.”

He blushed, looking away from her. Even during a tense time, Imogene seemed to find a bit of humor by making Jin flustered. It seemed she enjoyed seeing the tall man blush. She couldn’t help it, seeing him blush made her smile. What if he had taken her up on the offer last night?

“I’m a simple man of science. Nothing more.”

“Sure,” she said, rolling her eyes playfully. “I think there’s more to you than what you show.”

Jungkook and Yoongi exchanged looks at the obvious flirtation going on. The police captain coughed making the pair step away from each other. 

“What exactly are you going to be looking for, doctor?”

Jin scratched his chin thoughtfully. “I have a possible hunch. If I’m correct, the answers will be in my lab.”

The detective and captain kept neutral faces, still unsure of what was going to be in store for them in this lab. The chime rang, signaling the doors to slide open. Jin walked out and through the sliding glass doors. 

Imogene walked into an equally impressive laboratory. She looked at the wall of charts and graphs, none of which made any sense to her, but knowing Jin understood kind of turned her on. She stepped over to his desk as he typed furiously on the keys. Just as he suspected. A file on the server he’d never seen before.

“Project Resurrection?”

As he tried to click it open, a window popped up on the computer screen making his face twisted in disbelief.

“No access?”

His brows knitted, Jin tried to find a backdoor into his computer. Imogene took the seat next to him. 

“Something wrong?”

Jin scoffed, shaking his head. “Fucking prick locked me out.” He groaned in frustration. “I have to see my brother.”

Imogene quirked her brown. “Why would you need to see him?”

“Remember when I said this was a family business?”

“Yes.”

“Well my brother is the CEO.”

Imogene stood up. “Alright. Let’s go.”

Jin stared at her perplexed. “Excuse me?”

Imogene pursed her lips together. “You heard me. I’m going with you. He’s got some explaining to do.” She could see Jungkook and Yoongi sitting at other desks talking quietly to each other. “Kook, stay with the Captain. I’m going with Jin.”

“You’re not going,” Jin said, crossing his arms.

Imogene looked at him as a frown formed. “I don’t think you heard me correctly.”

“Yeah, I did. You’re not coming with me.”

“Yes, I am.”

“No. You stay. They need you.”

“Their big boys who can handle themselves. I’m going.”

No matter what Jin said, Imogene wouldn’t budge. After a few tense words, he gave in and let her tag along. He walked her to another elevator and slid the keycard in, punching the button to the top floor. He leaned against the door. With the combination of stress and lack of sleep, his body wasn’t functioning at a hundred percent. Not to mention Abby hadn’t contacted him back. 

Imogene watched as an array of emotions crossed Jin’s face in the span of a few seconds. While she wasn’t an empathic person by nature–one of the reasons she picked the homicide department–a part of her still cared.

“Are you alright?” 

“Truth?”

“Truth.”

Jin let out a quiet chuckle. “I’m worried about my dog. I’ve never been away from her this long.”

Imogene blinked at him for a moment. A laugh bubbled to the surface, as she chuckled softly. This made her see him in a whole new light. He missed his dog. What wasn’t cuter than that? She reached over and squeezed his hand. 

“When we leave here, we’ll go get her.”

Jin’s lips curled into a smile for the first time of the day. “Thank you, Imogene.” 

The elevator’s doors opened and he let out a deep breath walking out. Much to his surprise, there were a few people walking the offices. They paid him no mind as he went over to Taehyung’s room. Without knocking, Jin stepped in. He found his brother hunched over near the window, an assortment of liquor bottles on the floor.

Jin walked over to him and shook his shoulders. “Leave it to you to get drunk. Where’s the board members?”

Taehyung shoved Jin away as he stumbled over to his desk. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Imogene stepped forward, flashing the badge on her hip. “We would, actually.”

Taehyung blinked in a drunken stupor giving Jin a smirk. “Picking up cops now Seokjinnie?”

“Detective,” she corrected with a scowl.

“Pardon moi,” Taehyung said giggling. When he noticed he was the only one laughing, he sobered up enough to point at his laptop. “See for yourself.”

Jin ran over to the laptop, Imogene standing behind him as he looked. “What am I looking for?”

“The video feeds from the night before,” Taehyung answered, grabbing another bottle to guzzle down.

Jin clicked the file and brought up the feed. Imogene studied it with equal curiosity.

Hani held a vial up to the camera with a smile. 

“We’ve done it! This batch should be more successful than the last.” She looked off-camera with a nod. “Bring the subject out.”

An assistant wheeled one of the patients into view, strapped to a chair with an IV drip. Hani proceeded to fill a syringe with the light purple liquid. She held it up in the camera view.

“Now we’ll try just twenty milligrams to start.”

The person struggled against the restraints as she inserted the needle into the IV and watched as the purple liquid mingled with the contents of the bag. The person struggling slowed their movements down and lay motionless. Hani walked over puzzled. 

“What’s the monitor reading?”

The heart monitor suddenly dropped as the heart rate stopped.

“Damn it! Get the AED machine!”

“Wait!” 

The assistant stepped closer. “The heart rate is going back up! Wait, it's getting too high! They're going to go into cardiac arrest!”

The person broke from their restraints and jumped at the assistant ripping into his throat. He yelled trying to push them off. Hani screamed as she ran out of view. Mayhem ensued as a few of the patients broke out of their beds being triggered by the freed one. They attacked everyone as the camera fell over.

Jin closed the laptop as his body shook with anger. “What did you do Tae?”

“Don’t make me say it,” he whimpered.

Imogene growled stalking towards him. “You better start talking before I kick your teeth in.”

Taehyung flattened against the wall hiccupping. “We went ahead with the human trials. The first batch of volunteers took it well. We did it in pill form. After you brought the samples back, we added those and combined it with a stimulant, thinking it would have a better effect being put straight into the bloodstream.” He chuckled, running his hand over the growing beard. “As you can see, things got out of hand.”

“Out of hand?!”

Jin jumped up making the chair topple over. “I was attacked by one of your creations! You’re telling me some got out?!”

Taehyung gulped softly. “The ones from the first trial were released after taking the pill. Once the carnage started, I had security lock down the basement lab.”

“I should throw you out this fucking window. You’ve single-handedly put the entire city….shit the country in danger with this!” Imogene had to hold Jin back as he tried to go at his brother.

“What are you going to do Taehyung?! This is fucked up!”

Taehyung shuffled away from them and back to his desk, yanking open a drawer. He pulled out the journal and tossed it at Jin. “Figure it out,” he muttered.

Jin’s eyes scanned the binding until he recognized it. “Seo-bi’s journal! You had this entire time?”

“Correct. Now get the hell out of my office. I’m gonna watch the world burn.”

“You bastard,” Imogene hissed.

Taehyung sucked his teeth in as he pressed a button. “Tsk. Very unladylike using that language. Security will be here soon. I suggest you leave.”

Jin grabbed Imogene with his free hand. “C’mon.”

Imogene’s fist shook as they went back to the elevator. “Is he always like that?”

“Oh, and so much more,” Jin answered. “He’s a piece of shit.”

Imogene shook her head. “That’s putting it nicely.”

They made it back to the lab and Jin informed Jungkook and Yoongi about his talk with Taehyung. Yoongi swore low. “If I wasn’t injured I’d go stick my foot up his ass.”

Jin waved the journal at them. “In due time. He gave me this.”

“You mentioned a name...Seo-bi? What did that mean?” Imogene asked propping herself on a table.

“I’ve only seen a few of the pages from scans, but this journal was written five hundred years ago by a nurse named Seo-bi. Apparently this isn’t the first time this plant has been around. This thing is called the resurrection plant.”

Jungkook sniffed in disgust. “Resurrection plant?”

“Yes. Somewhere in these pages lies the cure, possibly,” Jin said hastily.

Yoongi sighed, waving his hand. “Well read something.”

Jin flipped through the pages with care. “It seems this is not an isolated incident. A conspiracy to take down the kingdom’s rebels so the queen regent can once again hold power in place of the deceased king. The creatures only come out at night and prefer dark, dry places to hide during the morning hours. They thrive in colder temperatures. Fire or water or a blow to the head can disarm them permanently.”

Jin’s hands shook as he felt his knees wobble. Flashes of creatures running as arrows with fire pierced them in all directions. Another was hand submerged under water as worm-like critters escaped from a bite wound. He dropped the book, leaning over the side of the table. Jungkook ran over helping him to a seat.

“Jin?”

His eyes fluttered open as his chest heaved. Yoongi gazed at him as Imogene ran over handing him a bottle of water. Jin swallowed half the bottle before speaking again. “I-I’m fine. Just blacked out.”

“Is that normal?”

“No, I–”

An alarm rang out in the lab making the group jump. Jin ran over to a screen on the wall as his face paled. “What the hell!”

Imogene stood up. “What? What’s going on?”

Jin tried to press the buttons on the screen to no avail as the alarm blared back. “The basement is being unlocked.”

“THAT IS CORRECT.”

They listened to Taehyung’s voice over the loudspeaker. Jin growled slamming his fist against the monitor. “Are you out of your mind?”

“MAYBE. CAN’T HAVE YOU SPREADING THESE RUMORS ABOUT THE COMPANY. NEED TO TIE UP LOOSE ENDS. FAREWELL BROTHER.”

Imogene turned just as two doors hidden behind a panel appeared and began to slide open. Guttural noises filled the room. Jin’s face paled.

“Help me block this off!”

Jungkook pushed one of the tables up against the doors, grabbing boxes to block off the entrance. Imogene ran over pointing towards the elevator. “I’ll help Jungkook. Try to find a way out of here!”

Jin made his way to the service elevator, opening the panel up. Yoongi, with some effort, stood next to Jin. “What do you need?”

“A sane brother. But for now just a flashlight. I need to override this system. He shut the elevators down.”

Yoongi pulled a small flashlight out of his back pocket and shined it into the panel. “Your family is all types of fucked up.”

“What else is new?” Jin mumbled, studying the wires. He muttered to himself grabbing wires looking for the right ones to connect.

“You sure you know what you’re doing?” Yoongi raised a brow watching the scientist work.

Jin ignored him, but let out a sigh, still putting all his concentration into getting the electric back on. 

Yoongi glanced over at his detective struggling to keep their distance between them and the hoard trying to attack them. Jungkook placed another box on top of the table as the hoard pushed against the table. He gritted his teeth pushing the table. 

“These fuckers are relentless,” Jungkook grunted.

Imogene nodded in agreement. “Don’t tell me ya getting tired on me Kook,” she breathed out.

“Hell no. You better not either,” Jungkook said with a lopsided grin.

If they weren’t barricading the door she would have hit him upside his head. Her eyes zoomed in on Jin and Yoongi with a frown. “I don’t know about you both, but an update would be lovely!”

“You’re not helping Park,” Yoongi shouted with a growl. 

Jin scoffed still moving wires around letting out a tiny gasp when the one he needed finally appeared. “About fucking time!”

He unhooked the wire and switched them around, placing it in a new socket. Yoongi laughed smacking his back. “The panel is back online.  Nice job doc.”

Jin rubbed the back of his head with a light chuckle. “Thanks, but we’ll celebrate later.” He looked over at Imogene and Jungkook. “It’s open! C’mon!”

Imogene and Jungkook held the table up still struggling to maintain the upper hand as the creatures pushed against it.

Yoongi punched the panel and the elevator doors slid open. He pushed Jin inside ignoring his protest. Yoongi pursed his lips grabbing a broken chair leg. “Those are my detectives. They need me.”

Biting his tongue, he ran over as the adrenaline pumped in his veins, disregarding the pain in his knee momentarily. He shoved Jungkook out the way and pressed his body against the table. Imogene looked at him in disbelief. 

“You’re supposed to be in the elevator with Jin!”

Yoongi kept his weight on the table and hissed at her. “I know where the fuck I’m supposed to be. You both get your asses to that elevator. That’s an order.”

Jungkook tried to move towards the table only for Yoongi to kick his ankle, making the young man howl in pain. “Get your sorry asses there. I’ll be right behind.”

Imogene felt the lump in her throat grow as she stared hard at her captain. One of the few men in her life that mattered and even cared for her. She cleared her throat as Yoongi’s eyes softened. He gave his infamous smile he only saved for her, motioning for her to leave. He pulled his gun out with a curt nod.

“Park, go. Please.”

She felt her head give a reluctant nod as she helped Jungkook to the elevator. The growling only seemed to get louder as the table shifted. Yoongi dug his heels into the floor keeping his back on it. Imogene watched as they made it inside. She waved her hands for him to see.

“Captain! C’mon! You can make it!”

Yoongi swore as he tried to decipher the distance. He wouldn’t make it. He knew it and Imogene knew it. Jin went to press the button just as Imogene smacked his hand away. “No we have to wait. The captain is gonna make it.”

Jungkook’s shoulders dropped, shaking his head. “No Im. That's why he took our place.”

“No, no he wouldn’t give up that easily!”

She wrenched from Jin’s grasp trying to run out. To her horror, the table began to splinter as the hoard tore through it to reach Yoongi. He ran for the elevator only to have his ankle crumple and his body collapse to the floor. He flipped onto his back gun pointed as he twisted his head to look at them.

“Close the fucking door! That’s an order! Now!”

“YOONGI!!”

Imogene clawed at Jungkook as he dragged her back inside. He shot Jin a look. “Close it now!”

The only sounds she heard were bullets ricocheting until a blood-curdling scream filled the room as bones crunched and flesh tore.

The silence in the confined space felt stifling as silent tears slid down her face.

A few weeks later, Jin stepped out of the terminal and walked straight to baggage claim. As he waited for the luggage to appear in the conveyor belt, he turned his phone off airplane mode to see if he had any messages. One popped up from Namjoon.

:Hey. I’m waiting at the pickup location whenever you arrive:

Jin looked up from his phone just in time to see his bag appear. Once it moved closer, he grabbed the strap and wheeled it out towards the exit. The sun blazed making him shield his eyes, but he caught a glimpse of a tall man standing by a black SUV. He recognized that stance anywhere. Jin walked faster to the car stopping in front of him to hold his hand out. “Good to see you again Namjoon.”

Namjoon’s dimples appeared as he grinned wide, gripping Jin’s hand in a warm, firm shake. He bowed his head in greeting. “You too Jin. Been a while.”

Jin nodded in agreement. “Too long. How’s life been here.”

Namjoon opened the trunk and placed Jin’s bag inside. He chuckled, shaking his head. “Life’s been good. I like teaching. The students keep me on my toes.”

They got into the car and Namjoon turned the key in the ignition and started to drive out the airport. Jin looked around as they passed the scenery, staring at the sapphire hued waters of the Korean Strait. He listened to Namjoon talk about his students and how much he enjoyed his courses. Jin smiled at how chattery he was. It was like old times.

“I’m happy you found your niche,” Jin said, giving Namjoon a glance.

Namjoon brushed it aside with a grin. “Don’t get me wrong. I love teaching, but sort of miss being out in the field.”

Jin scoffed, shaking his head. “Trust me. You left just in time.”

Namjoon picked up on the bitterness in Jin’s voice and thought it best to change the subject. “So are you still seeing...uh what’s her name–”

“Hani. Ah, we decided to call it quits. We wanted different things,” Jin replied dryly. He gave Namjoon a light punch in the arm. “What about you? You have yet to tell me about your girlfriend.”

Namjoon blushed and stared at the road. “Oh, Dahyun! We’re doing great. I’m thinking about proposing once she graduates.”

Jin gave an approving noise, “That’s great news! I’m happy to hear that.”

Namjoon smiled wider as he pulled into the parking lot of what looked like a restaurant. After he turned off the ignition, he patted his stomach. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

“Say no more friend, let’s get lunch,” Jin exclaimed happily. 

Two steaming bowls of japchae were placed in front of them by the server. She bowed and walked away. Namjoon held his glass up nodding to Jin. “To friends reunited.”

Jin clinked his glass grinning. “Hear. Hear.”

They dug in with their chopsticks, only sounds of slurping heard over the background music. Jin wiped his mouth as he stared at Namjoon. He swallowed the last few bites as his face became serious.

“Tell me about this plant you’ve found.”

Namjoon took a sip of his iced Americano and sighed. “We can go to the falls before sunrise tomorrow. It makes it easier to study and we won’t be bothered.”

Jin nodded. Though it was a short flight, exhaustion took over quickly. Between his brother and the company, he hadn’t had much time for rest. He stood, grabbing his wallet and went to pay, much to Namjoon's dismay. Jin waved him off and the two friends left the restaurant to go back to Namjoon’s apartment.

“You sure Dahyun won’t mind?” Jin inquired as he carried his bag up the flight of stairs. Namjoon chuckled, shaking  his head while he unlocked the door.

“Not at all. She’s visiting her parents this week back in Seongnam,” he answered, stepping inside letting Jin in.

Jin was thoroughly impressed with his friend’s place. Having upgraded from a lone bachelor pad to a place more suitable for him and his girlfriend. Namjoon removed his jacket, hanging it in the closet and threw his keys in the bowl near the door. They took off their shoes and put on the slippers.  He nodded towards one of the hallways leading out of the living room. “We set up the extra room for you. Put your stuff down and we can discuss what I found.”

Jin gave a thumb’s up and rolled his bag into the open room at the end of the hall.  He laughed to himself, setting his things near the foot of the bed.

“Dahyun really outdid herself,” he murmured. As he took off his coat, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He flipped to the notifications to see that Abby posted a picture of her and Sasha on a walk at Olympic Park. He smiled clicking a like on the photo and placed his phone on the bed and walked back into the living room with his laptop. 

Namjoon had already set up his things on the coffee, hunched over on the couch as he typed furiously. Jin sat down next to him. Namjoon’s eyes only darted away from the screen when he felt the couch cushion sag. He removed his glasses and turned his laptop screen for Jin to see. He looked to see worn pages of a book. His brows knitted curiously.

“What is it?”

Namjoon gave a lopsided smirk and cleared his throat. “That is a patient journal written by a nurse named Seo-bi. It's over five hundred years old,” his eyes sparkled as he revealed the news.

Jin studied the journal entries without a sound. What was so great about this to make Namjoon act this way? The look on his face made Namjoon bark out a laugh. “Alright. Why does that matter? Well that particular flower on the screen,” Namjoon gestured to the flower, “was called the resurrection plant. It was said to cure the fatalist of diseases, even death.”

Jin shot him a skeptical frown glancing at the pages. “Cure death? Seriously Namjoon. That’s far fetched even for you.”

Namjoon combed his hands through his hair with a huff. “Reason with me here. This would be something tremendous. Think of what it could do for healthcare.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First I want to see it  and then we’ll study samples,” Jin replied. He cocked his head at the screen. “Where did you come across this journal?”

Namjoon sighed. “Well after I came across the plant, I went to the university library. When I couldn’t find anything, I reached out to my mentor. After I explained it, he sent me a few pages of the journal.”

“Hmm.” Jin tried not to let his suspicions rise. This seemed so fantastical even for him. But Namjoon wouldn’t have called him down just for anything. For now he’d attempt to be open to this idea once he saw the plant and studied it. His eyes scanned the writing, barely legible on the bright computer screen. With a reluctant sigh, he placed his hand on Namjoon’s shoulder.

“Okay. I’m on board.”

Namjoon grinned, slapping Jin’s back. “That’s what I like to hear. Get some rest. We got an early morning.”

----

The clock ticked quietly on the desk as the two individuals remained quiet. The ceiling fan stirred the air thick with tension. Imogene bounced her knees on the small gray loveseat as she looked across at her counterpart. 

Leaning in a chartreuse chair casually, the man had one leg crossed over the knee, notepad balancing in his lap. He would click the ballpoint pen end ever so often, glancing at Imogene with a quiet smile. She didn’t know what she found more unnerving: that she was seeing a therapist or that her therapist was utterly attractive.

Park Jimin didn’t seem like the traditional therapist by any means. A soft oval shaped face with a slight pointed chin, round cheeks, and plump lips. His eyes were round hidden behind thick circle frames and seemed to smile even when his lips weren’t. Hair, a light shade of brown was brushed off his face and styled neatly. Imogene took note of the piercings in each ear; two on the right and three on the left. Dressed in a plain white button down shirt, black slacks, black jacket, and dark loafers to finish his outfit, he didn’t seem to belong there in this small office. He should have been on a movie screen or runway. Imogene came to the conclusion that he was just fucking pretty.

She averted her gaze from him and looked around the office once. The best word she could use was cozy. Accented with a brick wall, the others were dressed in a warm, friendly yellow. The hardwood floor was covered by a large rug that cushioned her heeled boots. To her left was a desk, where she deducted he spent most of his time mulling over notes of other patients. His laptop closed along with a stack of files placed neatly at the side. On the wall hung all his credentials. To finish off there were a few succulents spread across the room.

And still she persisted in staying quiet. What was the point? But much to her dismay, she could hear the Captain’s voice in her head.

“There better be progress or its desk duty until you retire.”

She groaned inwardly as she brought her attention back to him. Clearing her throat she settled back against the cushions folding her hands across her stomach. 

“Dr. Park–”

“You can call me Jimin if you like,” he offered with a smile.

Shit. Even his voice was beautiful. 

Imogene shook her head. “I’d prefer to address you as Dr. Park, if you don’t mind,” she replied stiffly.

He nodded as his eyes cast down on his notes. “Hmm, we have the same last name. Coincidence, don’t you think Detective Park?”

She shrugged with a sigh. “Dumb luck maybe.”

He titled his head at her curiously. “I don’t want to make any assumptions, but it seems you don’t want to be here.”

Imogene barked out a laugh, drumming her fingers on her knees. “What gave you that idea?”

His lips formed a thin line as he stared at her. “No one is forcing you here, Detective. You’re free to leave at any time.”

“That’s where you are wrong Dr. Park,” she snapped. “I’m mandated to be here, but you already know that.”

“That I do,” he murmured, meeting her gaze. “I also know you want more than anything to be back in the field. So instead of verbally attacking me, maybe we can start over and have a conversation like two mature adults.”

Her jaw dropped in shock. Did she just get called out? Yes, yes she did. For the first in her life, Imogene was left speechless. This is no normal therapist. 

Dr. Park’s smile widened making his eyes shape into crescent moons.“I want what’s best for you Detective, a place where you can be comfortable in your work and personal life. So let’s begin, but if you feel like you have nothing to say right now, that’s fine. Silence can hold much weight.”

A chuckle passed her lips as she leaned her elbows on her legs. “Well, you certainly weren’t what I expected Dr. Park.”

“Is that a good or bad thing?” he inquired.

Imogene’s lips spread into a smile for the first time during their exchange. “We’ll have to wait and see won’t we?”

“Agreed,” he scribbled on his pad for a moment. “Unfortunately our session is coming to an end, but we’ll meet at the same time tomorrow. Maybe we’ll make some progress then.”

He stretched out his hand and she took it into hers as they shook. 

“Look forward to it Doc.”

---

Jin slipped on his sunglasses as the sun’s ray beat down. He followed Namjoon down the path to the waterfall. Though it was early, the heat began to rise making it already an uncomfortable hike. He wiped his brow and huffed as they reached an incline up the hill. Namjoon looked over his shoulder giving him a reassuring look.

“Jin, you alright?”

“Never better,” he huffed deeply, leaning against one of the posts. Namjoon laughed, pulling a water out his bag and tossed it to him. Jin unscrewed the cap and swallowed a healthy amount. He closed his eyes with a sigh. “Thanks.”

Namjoon grinned. “Being stuck in that lab is making you soft. Don’t you miss field work?”

Jin laughed, shaking his head. “Hell no. Give me darkness and fluorescent lights any day.”

Namjoon shot him a look with a tut. “You need fresh air, and this proves it. You're already winded.” He glanced down at his watch. “We got another thirty minutes and we’ll be at the site. Think you can make it?”

“Not unless you carry me the rest of the way,” he joked.

Namjoon rolled his eyes giving him a light punch in the arm. “Not a chance in hell. C’mon Seokjinnie, time a-wastin’.”

Just as Namjoon predicted, they reached Cheonjiyeon Falls half past the hour. Jin drank in the scenery, taking a deep breath. Maybe Namjoon was right. Getting back in the field could do him some good. 

Namjoon led him to an observation deck that extended into the water giving a better view of the waterfall. The sunlight hit it just enough to give the water a teal and turquoise tint. A rainbow arched over the water. The view alone was breathtaking. 

Namjoon moved closer, motioning for Jin to follow. Jin walked to the edge looking around. He took his camera out and began to snap some photos. Namjoon pointed to the edges of water and land not bathed in sunlight.

“Notice something?”

Jin surveyed the area until his eyes caught the small purple plants dotted around. It seemed unusual how strategically placed the plants were. “They only–”

“Are in places not touched by the sun,” Namjoon finished.

“Fascinating,” Jin answered, crouching low to get a better look. “Plants not requiring sunlight are pretty rare. What do you suppose it is?”

Namjoon looked deep in thought staring at the water. “I’m not sure, but there's only one way to find out.” He opened his backpack and pulled out a few sample bags and gardening shears. “Let’s get some samples.”

They set to work grabbing a bag full of samples each, being sure to put on gloves. 

“Who knows what’s on these plants,” Namjoon stated.

Once the bags were filled, they hiked back down the trail. Namjoon chatted about breakfast and headed to his lab to study the plants. Jin, lost in his thoughts, felt a sense of deja vu overwhelm him.

-Her face tilted towards the sun letting it warm her. She gave a small twirl in the room, a soft smile on her face. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“Eunji,” he called from the doorway. 

She opened her eyes giving him a smile. “How long had you been standing there?”

“Long enough,” he said, stepping forward, wrapping her in his arms. She swiped at him playfully earning a chuckle from him. “Don’t you have to go into town?”

“Soon. I want to enjoy holding my wife,” he teased, placing a light kiss on her forehead. 

She leaned into the kiss, pulling away and went to the table much to his protest. She walked over to a basket that was propped up against the wall and pulled out some flowers. “I found these when I was looking for herbs in the forest,” Eunji explained, holding them up.

He took them from her hands, letting the weight settle. The leaves felt scratchy under his fingertips. His brows knitted in pain as blood began to drip from his hand. Eunji looked at him in bewilderment.

“Jin? Jin?”-

“Jin!”

He let out a yell as his ankle twisted on a tree vine. Jin stumbled into Namjoon, making the taller male catch him. Jin, still shaken, stood straight, hissing as pain shot up his leg. Namjoon reached out grabbing his upper arm, having Jin lean on him. “What the fuck Jin?”

Jin gritted his teeth trying to ignore the dull ache. “I-I don’t know. I must have daydreamed or something.”

Namjoon gave him a look of concern. “Do you want to go back home? I can take the samples to the lab–”

“No. No. I’m fine. I’ll rest at the lab,” Jin reasoned straining a smile across his face.

His friend shot him a skeptical look but gave a reluctant nod. “Okay. Take your time walking down this path.”

Jin nodded as they took their steps tentatively. He let his mind wander back to that dream. What was it? Who was that woman? He let the thoughts continue to play in his mind during the hike back to Namjoon’s car.

---

“Kook!” Imogene called out his name as he entered the bar, waving near the corner.

He turned in the direction of his name and walked over, bowing to the host before sitting across from Imogene at the table. He unzipped his leather jacket letting out a deep grunt. His partner smirked and poured him a generous portion of soju.

“Rough day?”

The young male brushed his black hair back with a sigh. “I need you to hurry the hell up and come back.”

Imogene scoffed, setting the bottle down. “That bad huh.”

“The captain paired me with one of the rookies temporarily. He’s so green, I think he wears pull-ups,” he groaned, swallowing the soju in one gulp.

Imogene giggled, shaking her head. “Don’t act like that. You were the same way when you joined the force. Be patient.”

Jungkook rolled his eyes before scanning the menu. “Yeah. Yeah,” he muttered. “Kimchi fried rice sounds good?”

Imogene nodded, but lifted her brow. “Wait I thought you had a tournament this weekend? Only meat, veggies, and fruits? High protein, remember?”

Her partner gave her his infamous bunny grin. “I’m also drinking with my partner tonight. Call it my cheat day. And I’m buying.” 

Imogene whistled low looking quite impressed. “Kook, you sure you alright. When have you ever paid?”

He rolled his eyes hitting the button for the server to come over. “Shh. Just enjoy the moment.”

They both laughed as Jungkook placed their order. He poured another shot into her glass, testing the waters for his next question. “How was your appointment today?”

Imogene groaned and took a sip of her drink. “Eventful. Captain put you up to this?”

Jungkook shook his head. “No, I’m genuinely concerned about you Park. You’re a great detective, I’d hate to lose my partner.”

Imogene’s eyes softened as she looked at Jungkook. He really did care. As reckless as she was, he stood by her side making sure nothing would harm her. Even going as far as to stand up to the Captain for her. 

“Kook–”

The shrill of his phone cut her off as he pouted. “I’m off duty,” he said with a huff. But his eyes rounded looking at the caller id and he stood up. “Be right back,” he murmured, walking away as he put the phone up to his ear. 

Imogene drummed her fingers on the table waiting for him to return. The server brought their beers and appetizer just as Jungkook ran back in. He pulled his wallet out and placed some bills on the table. Jungkook gave Imogene a knowing look as he sighed.

“What’s wrong?”

“They need me. Something about a riot. They called every off duty cop in.”

Imogene’s eyes widened. “Shit. Do you need–”

Jungkook frowned, waving his hand. “Not a good idea and you know it. Captain would rip you a new one.” He took one more shot of soju and chased it with some of the fried chicken. He wiped his mouth and gave his partner a wink. “I’ll keep you posted. For now, stay out of the Hongdae area.”

Imogene waved as he walked out, now alone again. She sighed and opened her phone scrolling through her accounts. Nothing was popping up, so what were the police getting into.

---

Jin propped his ankled up in one of the chairs, an ice pack wrapped around the bruise. He grabbed the materials, laying out his instruments to look over the specimen. He placed the leaves under a microscope and gazed into the ocular lens. His brows knitted in frustration. Something seemed to lurk on the surface of the leaves. 

Jin looked up in disbelief. He glanced over at Namjoon curiously. The taller male was fumbling with pieces of the flower petals  adding them to vials and placing various drops of chemicals in each for a reaction.

“Joon, come look at this.”

Namjoon rolled over to Jin, glasses perched on top of his head. “Yeah. What’s up?”

Jin slid over and motioned to the microscope. “Have a look at that.”

Namjoon peered into the lens for a few moments. A noise passed his lips and he adjusted the dials. After a pause, he looked up at Jin dubiously. “What the hell?”

Jin snorted with the shake of his head. “That’s what I said. What is this? I don’t think I've ever seen anything like it before.”

Namjoon tapped his chin, deep in thought, his dimples deepeneding. “Fascinating. It looks like live bacteria. The most unusual thing is that it’s able to thrive with a water source and no sun.”

Jin chuckled incredulously, giving him a stare. That’s not possible. “Bacteria thrive in damp, warm places. I don’t know what the hell this is.”

“Maybe BLC might know,” Namjoon blurted out rolling back over to his table.

Jin jerked at the sound of the name. “Why would they know? I only just discussed it with the board a few weeks ago.”

Namjoon’s back stiffened. He ignored the question and fiddled with the vials. Jin noticed the change in his demeanor and turned fully to look at him. “Joon, what’s going on?”

The botanist’s shoulders dropped as he let out a tense laugh. “Well...and you’re going to laugh about this.”

“Doubt it,” Jin replied drily crossing his arms over his chest. 

Namjoon frowned, finally meeting his friend’s eyes. “Bangtan LabCorp knew about the plants already.”

Jin felt the heat rise in his neck. He clenched his jaw, but motioned for Namjoon to continue. The younger male fidgeted in his chair. “I-I wasn’t completely honest with you. I found the plants much earlier and sent some samples to Taehyung already.” Namjoon shrugged nonchalantly. “He was the one who suggested I email you about it. They need more samples for testing.”

“Testing?!” Jin let out a harsh laugh. “Taehyung wouldn’t know a bacteria's culture if it smacked him the face! How could you be this idiotic Joon? You told my brother—the worst person in the world—about this?!”

He swiped a few beakers to the floor and the glass shattered on impact. He slammed his fist down with a growl. “Fuck!”

Jin dropped his head into his hands with a painful sigh. “Damn it Namjoon!” He looked over at his friend with distrust. “What else does he know?”

Shame covered Namjoon’s face as he fiddled with his coat. “I-I may have sent him the journal as well.”

Jin let out an exasperated sigh. Namjoon scooted closer bringing his laptop close. “Don’t get mad, but I started experimenting with the plant's properties.” The look Jin sent him made him gulp loudly. “I only started using mice.” He clicked on a file and it brought up video clips. Each was labeled with a date. Jin slipped on his glasses and opened one link.

“Subject 23...male mouse suffering from salmonella. Inserting 2 mg of RP.”

Jin watched the video as the mouse was injected with the liquid. He clicked the next clip dated a few weeks later.

“Subject 23 showing tremendous improvement. Almost back to health. Will keep an eye and assimilate with other mice soon.”

Namjoon sighed as Jin turned to him. “So the plant has helping properties.”

“That’s brilliant Namjoon. But what seems to be the problem?”

Namjoon clicked on the most recent clip. A grim expression covered his face. “All Taehyung saw was the previous videos. I tried to warn him, but he insisted Jin. You have to believe me!”

Jin closed his eyes trying to keep his temper in check. “Let me see the last video.” Namjoon looked pained as he clicked the play button and moved away from the table. Jin focused on the clip.

“Subject 23 has been integrated back into the mice enclosure. Things seem to be going well...wait...something's wrong!”

Jin watched as the mouse began to attack the others instantly. Squeals could be overheard as the bodies were almost torn apart. He closed the laptop and rounded on Namjoon. “Does...does Taehyung know?”

Namjoon nodded slowly. “He doesn’t. At least not this part. He wants to start human trials immediately.”

---

Taehyung sauntered into the elevator and pressed a button before sliding his keycard in. The elevator came to life and began its descent. The numbers dropped with each passing floor until it went past the lab. 

The chime went off as the doors opened. Taehyung stepped out and walked down the lone corridor. The soles of his shoes echoed off the walls. Reaching one of the doors, a panel opened and he punched in a few keys as a screen appeared. He placed his hand down as it began to scan his hand print. 

The screen turned green and the door beeped open. Taehyung strolled in looking around. A handful of doctors and scientists gazed into glass cubicles placed strategically around the large room.

One of the doctors approached Taehyung with a nod of greeting. “Kim-nim, good evening.”

He returned the nod and picked up one of the pill bottles. The large oblong bright purple pills shook around the bottle. “So, you were able to put it into pill form.”

“Less messy than liquid,” the doctor answered. She placed some hair behind her ear feeling flustered with him standing so close. Taehyung smirked as he walked past. “That’s true. Pills seem better than injections. How much was put into each pill?”

“To start we added just a few milligrams. If results are seen, we’ll up the dosage,” she said.

“How’s the testing going? We were able to get enough people?” Taehyung questioned, glancing at the individuals laying on hospital beds.

“Excellent. We’ve found more than enough volunteers. The shelter at the hospital had the perfect pool to choose from,” the doctor answered. “Each has already had a dose. Once they wake up, they’ll be released and we’ll have them come back in a few days to check for any symptoms.”

“What were the terms?” He leaned against one of the tables and flipped through the reports. 

“Simple, a free meal and bed for the night if they try a new drug treatment,” she grinned. Her smile faltered as she stepped closer to Taehyung, her voice dropped. “We are going to need more of that plant. The sample you gave me was only enough for about forty pills.”

Taehyung winked, brushing some hair off her face as she blushed. “Don’t worry. My brother will be back with the samples this week. You’ll get the plant soon.” He leaned forward as his breath tickled the shell of her ear. “Make sure to wear those heels I like, hmm?”

He gave her a pat on her backside and laughed. “Keep me updated doctor. I’ll be in touch.” He glanced around the room. “Good work so far everyone. I see big things in our future.”

His eyes gravitate to the journal on the table with a smirk as he flipped through the pages. “Oh Seo-bi, you’ve unleashed Pandora’s box.”

Clouds passed over the sun covering the fields in an overcast. He rose from his position, wiping his brow as he stared out the window. Though exhaustion filled his face, the smile stayed genuine. He poured the contents into a small pouch and handed it to the older woman sitting in the chair beside him.

“Here you are, Jeon Mija-ssi. Mix this with your tea every night for a fortnight.”

The lady bowed her head  giving him a warm smile. “Thank you, Seokjin-nim. The blend will help with the pain in my wrists.”

He patted her hand gently. “Take care. I don’t want to hear about you doing any heavy lifting.”

“Ah,” she swatted at him playfully. “I’m tough. You just worry about your lovely wife.”

Seokjin blushed, looking away just as a knock came from the entrance. A young woman standing in the doorway giggled, crossing her arms over her chest with some effort.

“I hope my husband is behaving.”

Mija stood up and patted Seokjin’s cheek. “He’s doing his job being the kind doctor he is.” She walked to her and squeezed her hands. “You be careful. We don’t want that baby coming too soon,” she scolded.

She smiled fondly, giving her stomach a rub. “The little one will be fine.”

Mija chuckled as she waved, walking down the stairs. “Good. Thank you again!”

Seokjin waved, watching her go back down the hill to the village. He turned to his wife and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Did you rest today?”

She blushed, looking away. “Um, yes.”

Seokjin raised his brow, “Eunji, what did we discuss?”

She poked his cheek with a sigh. “The children stopped by, and I read with them. You know I couldn’t say no to them.”

He shook his head, a tiny smile on his face. His wife was stubborn regardless of what he said, but that’s what he loved about her. Her will and strength are what attracted him to her in the first place. And soon they’d be adding an addition to their family. 

“Have you come to walk me home?”

“Yes, you need to eat Jin. Wouldn’t do the village any good if their doctor wasn’t well,” she answered airly.

They both laughed and walked out hand in hand. The sun was beginning to set in the distance. Just as they began walking down the path, a shape of a body fell out of the woods and landed in the dirt road with a thud in front of them. Seojkin stopped in his tracks, gripping Eunji’s hand. A groan carried over the wind making him look at Eunji with caution.

“Wait here.”

“What if it’s a bandit?” she whispered, keeping her hand steady.

He cupped her cheek with a smile. “I’ll be fine. They could be injured.”

Seokjin stepped over carefully. “Hello? Are you alright? I’m the village’s doctor.”

The body remained still as he bent down to assess any injuries. Blood dripped from a head wound, cuts and bruises littered their body. Seojkin’s eyes grew wide. “Sir? Can you hear me?”

He turned to Eunji quickly. “Go get some workers. I’ll need help lifting–”

The man lunged forward as he gasped, eyes bloodshot and covered in dirt. Seokjin yelled out in surprise.

“Run!” he gasped, shaking Seokjin. “It’s upon us! It’s upon us!”

“Sir...I–”

The man roared and collapsed to the ground. Eunji shivered, meeting his gaze. “Seokjin? I’m scared.”

“Jagiya–” 

Guttural sounds came from the trees. Steps grew closer as a group of three people stalked forward. Eunji stepped back, holding her stomach. “Jin!”

Their heads turned in her direction, hissing, covered in dirt and blood. They lunged forward growling. Adrenaline rushed through his veins as his blood boiled. His eyes scattered the forest floor to see a decent size log. To his own surprise, Jin picked it up and ran at the trio swinging. The log hit all three at once. They stumbled back, and Seokjin yanked his wife away as they ran to the village. 

The man on the ground contorted his body as more grunts emerged from the woods. He rose with a guttural growl and joined the creatures as they chased the couple down the hill. 

Eunji tried to keep up as Seokjin pulled her along. “What was wrong with those people?”

“I-I don’t know. We need to warn everyone,” he said in between breaths.

The screams stopped them in their tracks as Seokjin tugged Eunji off the road and behind a grove of trees. The sounds made the hairs on his neck rise. From the vantage point, they could see more of the people entering their village. Carnage was the only word to describe the scene before them. People panicked, trying to run away from the hoard only to be massacred. The sounds of bones crunching and the smell of blood filled the air along with burnt flesh. Eunji covered her mouth, burying her face against Jin’s chest. He could feel her tears dampen his tunic as he held her. 

With a shaky exhale, he pulled her face to look up at him. 

“Eunji, we’re going to run to the next village. No matter what, don’t look behind you, okay?”

“Jin...what’s happening? Why?” She asked, staring into his eyes.

He closed his eyes. “I don’t know, but we have to stick together–”

A branch snapped behind them. The blood drained from Jin’s face as he turned to see a figure rasping towards them. Seokjin squeezed her hand. “Run.”

Eunji whimpered. “Jin...what?”

“RUN!”

The figure jumped at him, ripping into his flesh as he gurgled on the ground. The last thing he saw was Eunji’s face before blacking out.

xxx

He sat up with a start. Body covered in a slight sheen of sweat. He raked his fingers through his hair, glancing over at the digital clock on the nightstand. Half-past four blinked in faint red letters. Groaning, he flopped back down against the pillows and stared at the ceiling watching the fan stir the thickness of the room. No use. He couldn't go back to sleep even if he tried. The same nightmare each night for over a month. But why? Who was she? Why did her face haunt his dreams? His eyes caught the reflection of the picture making his heart sink. He reached out and knocked it over letting it fall to the ground. 

The clatter made his two-year-old Malt-Tzu wake up from her spot on the floor. She barked trotting over to the edge of his bed cocking her head to the side. Jin chuckled patting his leg and she hopped up the mini staircase and cuddled against him. 

“You wake up from that but not my nightmare. Why do I put up with you, Sasha?”

She turned and licked his hand earning another laugh from him. “You’re lucky you’re adorable.”

He closed his eyes taking a deep breath. “Alright. Let’s get up.”

Jin swung his legs over the side of the bed and walked into the living room. He glanced out at the windows towards the skyline. The sky still dark as dawn approached, the light barely over the horizon. 

The lights clicked on automatically as walked into the kitchen with Sasha in tow, he filled her food bowl and changed the water. He turned to the opposite counter and pressed the button on his coffee maker. It hummed to life, pouring the elixir into a mug. After stirring sugar and soy milk into the cup, he brought it over to the balcony, pulling the sliding door aside. The morning chill hardly hit him, he took a sip with a hum and held his cup up with a nod.

“Alright Jin. Time to start your day.” With a weary sigh, he walked back into the apartment.

He headed over to his desk, setting his cup down, and sank into the leather chair. Sasha bounced over and began playing with a squeaky toy near his feet. Jin smiled fondly watching her as his laptop booted up. A few beeps got his attention on the screen as a message box blinked in his email. Quirking his brow, he clicked the inbox icon and an unopened email garners his attention. The name Kim Namjoon sets his curiosity in motion. He clicked the subject, labeled ‘rare find’, and read the email aloud.

“Jin! Hope you’re doing well. It’s been ages since we last spoke. Almost makes me think of our university days. Good times. I heard about your new position at Bangtan LabCorp, congratulations. It’s well deserved. You’re probably wondering about the random email, but I assure you it’s worth your time. I’ve been on vacation...well on sabbatical studying the plant life on Jeju Island. I’ve found something interesting near the Cheonjiyeon Falls.”

Jin paused, noticing a link to a few photos. He looked over the tiny purple flowers among a bed of greenery. He glanced back at the email.

“I’ve never seen this sort of foliage before. I invite you to join me down here to get to the bottom of the phenomenon. Look forward to hearing from you.”

Jin swirled in his chair thoughtfully. This was intriguing and potentially something to look into. He let out an audible groan and shook his head.

The boss will love this idea.

Not. 

He’d have to think of a way to get his boss on board. Jin stretched his arms, yawned loudly and stood up. He walked back into his room to shower and dress. He reentered the living room, dressed in a plain baby blue shirt, black pants, and his favorite converse sneakers. Jin began to clean his glasses just as the door buzzed. He jogged over and hit the intercom. The door beeped and a young woman stepped in with a shy smile. 

“Good morning Dr. Kim.”

He gave her a tiny wave, placing his glasses on and went to grab his messenger bag. “Good morning Abby. We’ve been over this, you can call me Jin,” he explained looking over the rim of his glasses. She blushed, shaking her newly dyed strawberry blonde hair now cut into a chunky medium bob. She knelt, whistling as Sasha pranced over to receive her daily belly rubs.

“If you insist Mr–I mean Jin,” she answered bashfully. She smiled brightly, grabbing Sasha’s leash. “Ready for your walk Ms. Sasha?”

The tiny dog wagged her tail and barked. Jin laughed crouching down to pet her gently. “Be good for Abby. I’ll see when I get home.” He gave Abby’s shoulder a pat and waved walking towards the door. “Have a good day. You know where everything is at this point so help yourself.”

“Thank you Jin-nim. Have a great day at work.”

---

Her feet stomped on the ground, muscles aching, breathing erratic. Her eyes hardened as she caught up to the fleeing suspect. The industrial buildings in the warehouse district were like a maze. She could barely keep up with them. Pausing, she stopped attempting to catch her breath momentarily. Where could they have gone to? A simple break in turned chase on foot. The crinkle from her radio came to life, startling her in the silence.

“Imogene, what’s your status?”

She cursed to herself realizing she’d left her partner high and dry. A simple run to get coffee had her now in pursuit of a suspect. The guy–or at least she assumed was–shoved her to the ground as he carried a large bag. When she yelled out, they continued running away. And now here she was in this predicament. Sighing, she pressed the button on the radio. 

“Pursuing a suspect, Jeon,” she answered.

He cursed into the radio as Imogene rolled her eyes. “Damnit Imogene! You were supposed to wait for me! What’s your location?”

As she mulled over telling him her location, glass shattering in the distance caught her attention. Her eyes narrowed and crept closer. 

“Imogene! Do you copy? Imogene!”

She cut off the receiver and walked towards the noise. She came across a decrepit warehouse on the verge of demolition. Her eyes searched for any openings and soon found the glass littered around a window. Imogene pulled her flashlight into view and shined it into the window. Dust littered underneath. 

Ah ha. A smile spread on her face. Footprints. 

She pocketed the flashlight and tucked her palms into her jacket to avoid being cut by the broken glass. With a grunt, she hiked herself up into the window pane and swung her legs over to fall into the building. Balance wobbly, she got her bearings straight taking the flashlight out once more to look. Ears straining for any noise. 

A rustling sound made her freeze in her steps. Light filtered from above the feeble roof and she caught a brief glimpse of the suspect.

“Fuck, where are you?” 

Something dropped near her feet making her jump back. The sounds of voices made her look up towards the rafters.

“Sonabitch,” she cursed. The person ran across the rafters above her. She grabbed her gun, pointing it in the direction of the sound. 

Imogene ran over to the ladder and climbed it carefully. It creaked under her weight, making her slightly nervous. She reached the walkway and held both her gun and flashlight. 

“I know you’re up here,” she murmured to herself.

She walked across the wood, avoiding and being mindful of the holes. Three men came into focus as she hid behind a pillar, clicking off the flashlight. From the way they spoke, the conversation didn’t seem to go well. She could make out one of them being the suspect she followed. Dressed in all black and a hood covering his face, she couldn’t see his features, but saw the outline of the bag. The other man had his back to her.

“Were you followed?” they asked.

“Of course not! Why would you think that?” he whispered.

“You’re sweating for one,” the man observed.

“Why the fuck does that matter? Now, we're here to talk business, so lets chat,” the man snarled.

“You have it?” 

He took the bag off his shoulder and unzipped it, holding it out for him to look into. “Will that suffice?”

“Shit,” the man swore, “More than enough.”

Imogene stepped from her hiding spot and she crept closer to hear better. Just then, the wood underneath her foot snapped. She froze as the hooded man pushed past the other men.

“Fuck!”

Before she could react, he tackled her to the ground, knocking the detective to the floor. Imogene slammed against the railing coughing from the force while her gun skidded away from her. 

The hooded man lunged at her first, aiming for her face. She blocked it, delivering a kick to his thigh making him stumble. She took her fists and slammed it into his back as he let out a groan. 

As she turned to look for her gun, he grabbed her ankle making her fall to the ground, chin snapping against the grates. She tasted blood as her vision went blurry. A swift kick from his boots to her side made her cry out. 

She crawled away trying to avoid his kicks, she jumped up limping and grabbed her gun. As she turned to point aim, he took his own out at the same time and pulled the trigger.

Time seemed to slow down. Three shots rang out hitting her square in the chest. The adrenaline made her want to sprint at him but shock soon took over as she fell back against the railing, gun dropping. He stepped forward.

“Bad day for you, detective,” he mocked.

With a swift kick to her gut, the rusted railing gave out and she fell backwards falling to the ground. Imogene’s body crashed against the boxes and trashes littered around her. The hooded man looked down to see her unmoving. A shadowy smirk on his face, he glanced at the men with a sigh. As he began to speak, sirens blared, growing closer. He took the bag, zipping it up and pointed towards an exit. 

“Unless we wanna get arrested, I suggest we leave.”

The two men ran off avoiding the group of police storming into the warehouse. A young male pushed through looking around. 

“Imogene! Imogene!”

He whistled to a few of the men. “Check over there.”

Gripping his gun, he jogged over to a corner looking for any clues. 

“Detective Jeon,” one officer called. 

He rushed over to him. His face paled seeing the handgun in the officer’s  hand. “That’s her service weapon. Shit. Where is she?”

“She’s here. Over here!”

Jungkook ran to the other side of the warehouse. A few cops stood near Imogene’s body splayed out. It felt as if the air in the room left, causing his chest to tighten. He sprinted over to her as a cop tried holding him back.

“No Jungkook!”

“I need to see if she’s okay!”

Two EMTs rushed in and went over to her. One flashed a light into her eyes while the other checked her pulse.

“We have a pulse, but it's weak. We need to get her out of here.”

The stretcher came in as they put her body on it to roll out. Jungkook followed them to the ambulance. As they put her in the back, he hopped in. “I’m going with,” he stated. He looked at the police and nodded. “Find out what the hell happened here.”

Jungkook watched as they worked on getting an IV in her as the doors of the ambulance closed. He sat next to her and held her hand.

“Fuck, Imogene. What the hell happened to you?”

---

The name Bangtan LabCorp casted a large shadow against the building. Jin stared up at the large intimidating structure, waving his keycard and stepped through the glass sliding doors. After a quick wave to the security guards, he headed to the elevators. People filed in and out, going about their own business, but stopped to greet him.

He gave a few nods of acknowledgment and stepped into the open elevator. Without looking, he punched in a code and the doors shut as it descended into the lower levels of the facility. 

Jin drummed his fingers against his bag as he waited for the chime. With a sigh, the doors opened and he stepped out making a left into a hallway labeled "Research and Development". He walked past his secretary already hard at work listening to the messages contesting the line. 

"Morning Suri," he said, picking up his mail. 

She held her finger, brows furrowed and pressed the headset close to her ears. Scribbling on a post-it, she handed it to him. 

“Morning Dr. Kim. Here’s the last of the messages.”

His eyes widened as he glanced over the writing. “The board moved the meeting up three hours?!”

“Kim-nim insisted. He’s got a previous engagement to attend to,” she answered, fingers tapping on the keyboard.

JIn grunted, turning on his heel and stomped into his office. “Previous engagement my ass. What model is he fucking this week,” he muttered bitterly.

He tossed his bag into his chair and slipped his glasses off, pinching his nose. Taking a deep breath, he walked over and pulled the usb drive with Namjoon’s research and grabbed his laptop. He waved to Suri as he passed. 

“If anyone needs me, I’m gonna be preoccupied with the board meeting. You know the drill.”

She held a thumb up, going back to her computer screen. Jin groaned as he slid his keycard into a slot opening another elevator that led directly to the CEO’s board room.

---

“As you can see, revenue has gone up at least twenty percent within the last quarter. If we continue on our course, I’m positive we’ll stay in the black.”

The finance manager clicked his slides off and sat down after murmurings ended around the table. Jin stared up at the ceiling wanting to be anywhere but there. It had been the longest hour and a half of mindless talk going in circles. 

The man at the head of the table swiveled in the chair, tapping his pen against the table. Dressed in a dark gray suit–most likely Gucci–his dress shoe heel clicked against the table. His dark eyes zoned in on Jin’s less than enthusiastic demeanor.

“Seokjin?”

Jin jerked in his seat to meet the man’s gaze. “Yes?”

A smirk appeared as he cocked his head to the front. “I believe it's your turn.”

Flustered, Jin grabbed his laptop and walked to the front of the table by the projector. Only taking a few moments to set up, he used the remote to click on the images. The board members looked unimpressed as they studied the images. Jin looked around the room. 

“This morning a colleague of mine reached out to me about something on his field assignment. He came across something quite fascinating on Jeju Island.”

He used the laser pointer to make his emphasis clear. “These flowers were found near Cheonjiyeon Falls. Nothing like it has been seen before. It’s changing the ecosystem before our very eyes.”

A member coughed, slightly gesturing to the screen. “What do you suggest, Dr. Kim?”

“I want to go there and see it for myself.”

Noise broke out as the members frowned. “We can’t afford a field study now. Not when we’ve started trials on the new vitamins,” the finance manager stated firmly.

Jin slammed his fist down. “Excuse me, but that’s bullshit. You just said we were in black. We have plenty of finances to assist me and my team. What’s the point of R&D if I can’t fucking research and develop?!”

Face flushed with red, he blew out his nose. He glared at the man at the head of the desk with disdain. “I don’t understand how our father could give this company to you Taehyung. Run it like you're supposed to.”

You could hear a pin drop. Everyone waited in bated breath as the two brothers stared each other down. Taehyung gave Jin a long, hard stare. Uncrossing his leg, he looked at the board members and pointed to the door.

“Out. I need to speak with my brother.”

They filed out passing knowing looks to one another trying not to talk. Once the door shut, Taehyung rose from his seat, buttoning his jacket, and walked around the table to Jin. He chuckled, smacking his hand to his back and studied the photos.

“Let’s chat in my office. Bring your research.”

Jin exhaled deeply and followed Taehyung through the side door that led them into his office. Taehyung beelined straight to the liquor cabinet making Jin roll his eyes. His brother held out the bottle shaking it.

“Drink?”

Jin scowled, crossing his arms. “At nine in the morning? Seriously Tae.”

He shrugged, pouring himself a healthy portion of vodka into the shaker. “Fine, more for me then.”

Taehyung poured the liquid into a martini glass and dropped a few olives in for good measure. He sipped letting out a pleased sigh. He went over to his desk and leaned on the edge swirling his martini glass. “Lighten up big bro. Of course, we can fund the trip. What do you take me for?”

“Not much,” Jin muttered. He shook his head watching his brother. “Tae, dad put you in charge–”

“That’s right. He put me in charge. You turned down the position,” he interrupted with a sneer, straightening his posture. “So that means I’m in charge. What I say goes, right?”

Jin’s mouth closed as his fists shook. In order to keep his temper in check, he stared at the ground, focusing on a spot on the carpet. With a deep breath, Jin looked up, meeting his brother’s stare and nodded. “You’re right, Tae. You’re in charge,” he swallowed the insults before continuing,  “I’m not trying to tell how to run the company, but we have to be smart with the business dealings.”

Taehyung waved him away, dismissing the remark. “Yeah. Yeah. I know.” He finished off his drink and set the empty glass down. “I’ll release the funds for your research trip to Jeju Island.”

Jin’s eyes rounded. This was sudden. “Uh...what?”

Tae rolled his eyes and let out a sound of annoyance. “Don’t question it. Just accept it. Plus I have better things to do around here.”

Jin shook his head. “No, you have someone to do.”

Tae’s lips spread into a smile. “You know me so well.” He chuckled hopping off the desk. “I’ll make a call and your secretary should be able to make travel arrangements before the end of the day.”

“Thanks Tae,” Jin said quietly.

“Just make it worth our time,” he answered looking out at the skyline.

---

The heart monitor beeped in the small hospital room quietly. The oxygen flowed from the nasal cannula helping Imogene breathe. Suddenly the heaviness over her lifted and her eyelids fluttered open. Her eyes adjusted to the dim room. Panic began to set in as she tried to figure out where she was. 

With some effort, she turned her head to see her partner dozing off in a chair next to her. He was laid back, elbow prepped on the arm of the chair with his chin resting in his hand. Light snores slipping through his lips.

Her voice felt thick as she tried to speak. “J-Jungkook,” she said in a hoarse whisper.

He jerked awake as his elbow slipped from under his chin, making him cry out in surprise. He blinked for a few moments and stared at Imogene dumbfoundly.

“I-Imogene?”

Her lips cracked as she forced a small smile. “Hey partner.”

Just then a nurse came in with a smile. “Something told me to come check in on you Detective Park. Good to see you awake.” Jungkook sat up straighter, pushing back his hair.

She raised the bed putting Imogene in a seated position–much to her displeasure–and removed her nasal cannula. The nurse checked her vitals, humming as she went along. 

Imogene glanced at her for a moment. “How long was I out?”

The nurse pumped her blood pressure, timing it with her watch. “Let’s see...maybe half a day give or take. You weren’t responsive when you came in, but the doctor can give you more information once she arrives. I’ll let her know you’re awake.”

The nurse gave a quiet smile to Jungkook who returned it as she scurried from the room. Imogene grunted settling against the pillows. “Really Jeon. A nurse?”

Jungkook ignored her, grabbed the cup on the tray, and brought the straw to her lips. “Here. Drink. I know your mouth is dry.”

The water slid down her throat and she gulped it slowly. Her throat still sore, she slowed her drinking.

“Thanks.”

Jungkook nodded, setting it down. “You gave us quite the scare Park. Don’t ever fucking do that again.”

Imogene tried to huff, but all it did was aggravate her sides. She hissed in pain giving him a sour stare. “I don’t need a lecture right now Kook.”

He crossed his arms with a frown. “You’re getting one whether you wanna hear it or not.” He sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. “You don’t know how lucky you are. We were able to find you through the radio transmissions you gave off.”

She fiddled with the hem on the blanket avoiding his gaze. Jungkook cleared his throat trying to hide the shake in his voice. “Imogene, you may not care, but when I saw you laying there, I-I didn’t know what to do. I thought you were dead.”

Her head snapped in his direction, noticing his eyes water. For as long as she knew him, Jungkook rarely showed any sort of vulnerability. He was the calm, cool, collected of the pair. While Imogene was brash, he was level headed. They balanced each other out in a way. Seeing him crumble in front of her was shocking.

“I–”

“Do you want me to call anyone? Family? Partner?”

She scoffed. “Seriously Jeon after two years of working together.”

“Sorry I forgot,” he mumbled. “Was just trying to help.” 

“Kook,” she began. “I didn’t mean–”

A knock at the door made them pause and see a woman of medium height in the doorway. Hair cut into a short ash blonde pixie style, she walked in with a warm smile. 

“Hello Detective Park. I’m Doctor Amber Liu. I’ve been overseeing your recovery.”

Imogene nodded in greeting. “Nice to meet you doctor.”

Amber flipped through the medical chart, muttering to herself. She nodded, seemingly happy and looked at Imogene. “Despite your injuries, your vitals are decent. You did crack a rib though. Luckily you were wearing your vest, so it took most of the brunt force from the gun. The trash cushioned your face and you had cuts and lots of bruises.” 

She glanced at Jungkook and grinned. “Your partner’s got nine lives. Make sure she takes it easy over the next month or so.”

Amber took out a penlight checking her pupils dilation. “I do wanna keep you a few days just to make sure nothing neurological is going on.”

She clicked the pen off with a tut. “How’s your pain level?”

Imogene groaned with a frown. “Throbbing. I’d give it an eight.”

The doctor scribbled something in her notes. “I’ll get the nurse to return and give you a painkiller and ice pack. For now rest. We’ll chat again in the morning.” 

She shook Imogene’s hand and walked out the hospital room. Imogene looked over at Jungkook as he stretched his limbs, grunting as each knot loosened. He popped an eye open and met her stare.

“What?”

“Did the captain have anything to say?”

Jungkook whistled low and smirked. “You know how he is. Wouldn’t stop cussing me out on the phone. He was here earlier while you were asleep and said he’d be back later.”

“Jeon, go home and get some rest. I’ll take over.”

The voice made Imogene’s face pale. A shiver ran down her back as her eyes darted over to the door. Their captain stood in the doorframe, hands stuffed in his jacket. 

Shit he was wearing his glasses–a telltale sign he was not in the greatest moods. Jungkook fumbled out the seat feeling much smaller now with those dark eyes boring into him. He reached over and patted his partner’s hand gently. 

“Take it easy Park. I’ll stop by tomorrow,” he eyed their captain cautiously. “Night Cap.”

He merely nodded, still glancing at Imogene. Jungkook made a hasty exit, scotting past him. Though the younger detective was much taller, Jungkook felt incredibly small next to him. Something about the power that radiates off of him. 

Once Jungkook left, the captain shuffled over to the abandoned chair and sank into it with a weary groan.

They each remained in silence as the monitors beep in the background. Imogene couldn’t bear the silence anymore and twisted her face towards him.

“Captain...Yoongi, are you going to say anything?”

He snorted leaning forward resting his arms on his knees and shook his head. “I don’t think I have the energy to say much to you, Park.”

She gulped softly looking down in shame. Yoongi removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Under the lights, he looked even older than he was. “I have within my rights to remove you from the force.”

Imogene felt as if the air deflated from her lungs. Her job was her livelihood. What would she do without it? She remembered the way her father acted after he lost his job–a downward spiral of alcoholism. She shuddered at the thought. 

“However,” he began catching her attention. “You’re one of my best detectives, despite your brash nature.” Yoongi looked as if he’d regret saying the next few sentences. “The chief thinks you deserve another chance.”

Imogene felt her spirits lift until Yoongi glared at her. “He’s leaving it up to me how to go about it.”

Fuck.

“Once you finish your recovery, you are gonna be on desk duty until I see fit to put you back on the street.”

“Desk duty? C’mon Yoongi-nim,” she pleaded.

“You’ll be grateful I’m not suspending you without pay. Now you do things my way or not at all,” he spat. Sighing, he leaned back in the chair staring at the ceiling. “You’re also going to see a therapist. And once they clear you, we’ll discuss the matter further.” He raised a brow and met her eyes. “Do we have an understanding?”

What did she have to lose? Everything, it seemed. The thought of seeing a therapist did not bode well with her, but she wanted her job back. 

“Yeah. I understand sir.”

Cast List

Profiles

Episode 1 

Jin receives a correspondence from a colleague with an interesting discovery. Imogene bites of more than she can chew during a hot pursuit of a suspect.

Release date: 11.18.2020

Episode 2 

Jin visits Namjoon on Jeju Island to study the plant. Imogene adjusts to being stuck on desk duty and seeing a therapist. Taehyung has something brewing in Bangtan Lab Corp lower levels.

Release date: 11.25.2020

Episode 3

Jin confronts Taehyung after the truth is revealed. As the weather turns cold, cases pop up across the city of strange animal attacks. Imogene meets Jin in the most unusual way.

Release date: 12.02.2020

Jin has another vision as chaos ensues across the city. Jungkook and Imogene take Jin to Bangtan Lab Corp as all signs point to the facility. They demand answers from Taehyung.

Episode 4

Release date: 12.16.2020

Episode 5

Winter comes and Seoul is almost barren. Imogene comes up with a plan to lure the zombies away from the city. Taehyung takes matters into his own hands giving Jin an ultimatum. They have a stand down the zombie hoards once and for all.

Release date: 12.23.2020

Episode 6

Spring returns to Seoul as things go back to normal slowly. Jin and Namjoon work on deciphering the book and the mystery of the plant.

Release date: 1.11.2021